3
Manchester United are getting ready a defensive overhaul of Erik ten Hag’s squad, with two defenders anticipated to be focused in the summertime switch window.
The Manchester Night Information reveals the membership need “two defensive incomings”, with Jeremie Frimpong and Edmond Tapsoba – each of Bayer Leverkusen – potential choices on the finish of the season.
Outdated Trafford scouts are “persevering with to observe” each defenders, who’ve shaped a key a part of Xabi Alonso’s undefeated Leverkusen aspect.
The German membership at present lead Bundesliga, having not misplaced a single sport all season. They’re 5 factors away from Bayern Munch with a greater objective distinction, having emphatically defeated Thomas Tuchel’s aspect 3-0 on the weekend.
Leverkusen are by means of to the semi-finals of the DFB-Pokal, having defeated VfB Stuttgart in dramatic trend final week.
They’ve additionally progressed to the final sixteen of the Europa League, as they comfortably topped their group with six wins from six.
It’s been as spectacular a season because it will get for the German membership.
Their overwhelming success stems from Alonso’s dominant 3-4-3 system. The wing-back system creates fixed overloads down both channel, whereas liberating up his entrance three to maneuver round freely with the intention to confuse opposition defences. Frimpong and Tapsoba have each been central to this method.
Frimpong is a dominant pressure at proper wing-back. The Dutchman is given full freedom to push ahead, present a relentless outlet for his crew and spending extra time within the opposition field than his personal.
Eight objectives and 9 assists in all competitions underscores simply what an attacking pressure Frimpong has been this 12 months.
However this attacking mentality has not come at the price of defensive stability, nonetheless. The truth is, Inter Milan are the one aspect to have conceded fewer league objectives than Leverkusen throughout Europe’s high 5 leagues this season.
Tapsoba has shaped a dominant unit, alongside Jonathan Tah and Odilon Kossounou, on the coronary heart of Alonso’s defence, which, in flip, permits Frimpong and Alex Grimaldo to push ahead from their respective wing-back positions.
The Burkinabé defender is comfy on both aspect of defence, although he primarily performs at LCB for Leverkusen. His athleticism makes him sturdy in one-on-ones, whereas additionally permitting him to successfully cowl massive areas, typically vacated by Grimaldo.
The 25-year-old can be wonderful in possession, rating extremely throughout each metric for passing and ball development.
The Manchester Night Information report suggests Outdated Trafford officers are concentrating on a “younger and athletic” centre-back this summer season.
It’s additionally believed a extra appropriate different to Martinez is desired, such is the drop in efficiency when the Argentine is dominated out, as he has been for giant elements of this season.
Tapsoba matches the invoice completely.
The report additionally signifies United “held discussions” with Frimpong’s representatives final 12 months, however determined in opposition to a transfer, owing to Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s improved kind.
With the Englishman having fallen down the pecking order beneath Ten Hag once more this season, a brand new right-back seems a precedence this summer season.
Whereas Frimpong signed a brand new cope with Leverkusen in October, this contract is although to incorporate a €40 million launch clause which turns into energetic on the finish of the season.
As such, the Dutchman seems a powerful candidate for any high membership seeking to strengthen the precise aspect of their defence in the summertime.
A double swoop on the BayArena might due to this fact be on the playing cards for Outdated Trafford officers this summer season.
