Siddharth Juyal
Fluminense defensive midfielder Andre downplays chances of joining Manchester United during the January transfer window
Fluminense defensive midfielder paid no heed towards the possibility of joining Manchester United during the January transfer window. Many top clubs in the Premier League, including arch-rivals Liverpool, covet the Brazil international.
Andre contributed significantly to Fluminense’s 1-2 win over Boca Juniors in the Copa Libertadores final, drawing interest from several top clubs. His recent triumph should elevate and enhance his reputation further.
United have lost nine out of 18 games in all competitions this season with major visible issues in the midfield.
Andre told ESPN Brazil (h/t Manchester Evening News) that his current focus is solely towards Fluminense and upcoming competitions. He said:
“I didn’t know about it. And I also don’t think anything came of it. We’re in November, there’s the final stretch of the Brazilian Championship, there’s the Club World Cup, but I’m very happy.”
The Brazil international stands at 176cm but possesses a deceptive strength that helps him in one-on-one duels. Andre has the speed and stamina to cover distances and a defensive determination that helps him make recoveries.
The 22-year-old relentlessly pressures opponents without resorting to sliding tackles, displaying patience and maturity to time his tackles. This allows him to cleanly retrieve the possession back from the opponents. The Brazilian also has a great understanding of the game and applies anticipation to intercept opponents efficiently.
Andre epitomizes a modern defensive midfielder, fusing remarkable ball skills with the mentality of a playmaker. The 22-year-old’s low centre of gravity enhances ball control while his agile movements allow him to operate through tight spaces.
The Brazilian excels as a distributor, adept at dictating the game’s pace as per his team’s needs. However, he plays safe passes with high passing accuracy and allows his more creative teammates to take risks.
United have deployed Scott McTominay to replace their current-injured first-choice defensive midfielder, Casemiro in the last few games. However, the Brazil captain has struggled with form with critics suggesting that Casemiro’s abilities are regressing with age.
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The Red Devils have conceded 30 goals from 18 games in all competitions this season. The opposition has continually exploited the gaps between midfield and defense, which a defensive midfielder should cover. United’s new signing Sofyan Amrabat has also failed to live up to the expectations so far.
We think United would need to find a long-term replacement for Casemiro soon and Andre fits the profile perfectly. However, the 22-year-old cannot be a straight addition to the first team as players from South America usually take time to adapt to the European environment and football.
