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Old 17-03-2021, 10:24 AM   #21
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Default Re: United defender under Solskjaer

'It's been proven you can't leave him one-on-one... that area is WEAK': Harry Maguire's lack of speed and fragility in dangerous areas is Manchester United's 'biggest concern', says Rio Ferdinand... as they hunt for new centre-back partner

* Rio Ferdinand has highlighted Manchester United's main weakness right now
* He believes Harry Maguire's lack of pace is a problem in one-on-one situations
* Fellow centre-half Victor Lindelof has similar issues against speedy opponents
* United are likely to bring in a quicker centre-back to partner Maguire in summer
* Ferdinand contrasted Maguire to Aaron Wan-Bissaka in one-on-one situations


Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's 'biggest concern' about his Manchester United team is that Harry Maguire can't be trusted in one-on-one situations, according to Rio Ferdinand.

United's captain isn't known for his speed and that sometimes leaves United's defence vulnerable when opponents attack them with pace.

The same issue applies to Maguire's regular partner Victor Lindelof, meaning United are likely to go into the transfer market to buy a new defender in the summer.


Harry Maguire's lack of speed and weakness in one-on-one situations is Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's 'biggest concern' in the Manchester United team, according to Rio Ferdinand. Solskjaer and United are likely to search for a new central defender to partner Maguire

And it's been noted by former United centre-half Ferdinand, who suggested it's something Solskjaer must address to keep his team progressing.

'I think that's Ole's biggest concern - can he leave Maguire one v one on the halfway line? Or Lindelof?' Ferdinand told his YouTube channel.

'It's proven that you can't as that's not their main attributes.

'Harry Maguire is good at a lot of other things but that area, that's one of his weak points.'

United are drawing up a shortlist of centre-back targets for the summer window as they look for someone to partner Maguire instead of Lindelof or Eric Bailly.


Former United defender Rio Ferdinand spoke about Maguire's weaknesses on his Five show. Ferdinand also pointed out that Maguire's regular central defensive partner Victor Lindelof (second right) also has similar weaknesses

Speed in tracking back to support Maguire is likely to be the key attribute United are looking for.

By contrast, right-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka excels in one-on-one situations, as shown when he marked Raheem Sterling out of the recent Manchester derby, but needs work on playing out from the back.

Ferdinand said: 'I think Wan-Bissaka can be coached into that, I think he's going to have to do a lot of work on the training ground on the ball and with the ball.

'His strongest point, we saw against City, his ideal scenario is to be left one v one against the wide man. There's nobody better around than him.'

United return to action away to AC Milan in the second leg of their last-16 Europa League tie on Thursday night with the scores level at 1-1 after the first leg.

Code:
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-9367203/Rio-Ferdinand-says-Harry-Maguires-lack-speed-Manchester-Uniteds-biggest-concern.html
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Old 22-03-2021, 12:14 PM   #22
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Default Re: United defender under Solskjaer

Rio Ferdinand is right to say Harry Maguire's lack of speed is the 'biggest concern' for Man United but he dominates his Premier League peers in other areas... stats show it's his centre-back partner Victor Lindelof who needs to be replaced in the summer

* Ex-Man United defender Rio Ferdinand said Harry Maguire's lack of speed and weakness in one-on-one situations is the club's 'biggest concern'
* Stats certainly suggest that captain Maguire is dribbled past too easily and concedes too many fouls as a result
* However, Maguire is some way ahead of many centre-backs at the Premier League's leading clubs when it comes to duels won, blocks and interceptions
* It suggests that Maguire isn't the weak link to be replaced in defence when United go into the transfer market in the summer
* Victor Lindelof, his regular central defensive partner, compares unfavourably


This could still be a season that represents tangible progress for Manchester United.

There was the flicker of a genuine Premier League title challenge at the beginning of the year but it proved nothing more than a fantasy when rivals Manchester City came steamrollering along.

Nonetheless, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side should comfortably qualify for the Champions League next season by finishing second - albeit a distant second to Pep Guardiola's champions elect.


Manchester United's regular central defensive pairing of Harry Maguire (left) and Victor Lindelof (right) has come in for criticism this season but there is a general trend of progress. The feeling persists that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will have to look for a new defender this summer

If Solskjaer can add either the FA Cup or the Europa League to that, his first piece or pieces of silverware as United manager, then an encouraging season will become a pretty good one.

But for Old Trafford legend Rio Ferdinand, it's crystal clear what is holding this United side back.

The regular centre-back pairing of Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof have come in for plenty of criticism as United's results and fortunes have undulated throughout the campaign.

United have certainly kept more clean sheets in recent months than at the beginning of the season, when their defence looked susceptible to almost any opponent.

But Ferdinand believes the area needs to be addressed if United are to be a genuinely successful side under Solskjaer's lead.


Former United defender Rio Ferdinand said on his YouTube show that Maguire and Lindelof are susceptible in one-on-one situations and it's one of Solskjaer's 'biggest concerns'. With Maguire the club captain, it appears Lindelof is the one to be replaced in the summer


Eric Bailly (left) is an option in central defence but his season has been disrupted by injury

'I think that's Ole's biggest concern - can he leave Maguire one versus one on the halfway line? Or Lindelof?' Ferdinand told his YouTube channel this week.

'It's proven that you can't as that's not their main attributes. Harry Maguire is good at a lot of other things but that area, that's one of his weak points.'

It suggests that Ferdinand believes United must go into the transfer market in search of a quicker centre-half when the summer window opens to partner captain Maguire at the back.

Indeed, reports suggest a new centre-back ostensibly to replace Lindelof and Eric Bailly is one of four key positions that United will look to reinforce in the summer market.

A prolific centre-forward, right-back cover and another central midfielder are other priorities but Ferdinand isn't far off in suggesting a central defender should be the main concern.

Is this fair on Maguire and Lindelof, though? We compared them to a selection of other regular centre-backs at the clubs towards the top end of the Premier League this season.

BEATEN BY OPPONENTS

It's fair to say Ferdinand has made an astute observation with this one. The stats do not look pretty for the Man United duo when it comes to opponents dribbling past them.

In 29 Premier League appearances this season, Maguire has been beaten 11 times by an opposition player, while Lindelof has been done nine times in just 22 appearances.

If you compare those figures to other central defenders who play regularly in top half sides this season, only Toby Alderweireld at Tottenham (dribbled past 11 times in 18 games), Wesley Fofana at Leicester (beaten 12 times in 19 outings) and Everton's Michael Keane (11 times in 27 games) compare.


The stats do back up Ferdinand's assertion that Maguire is vulnerable in one-on-one situations

Contrast that to the solid defensive duo of John Stones and Ruben Dias at leaders Manchester City. Dias has been dribbled past only six times in 27 league games and Stones just five times in 18.

Look at Chelsea as well. The veteran Thiago Silva, 36, has been beaten just five times and Kurt Zouma only twice, both from 17 appearances in the league.

We're all aware that Maguire and Lindelof aren't the quickest defenders but the frequency they are beaten by quicker opponents dribbling past is quite alarming and does suggest a quick defender who can cover is needed.

FOULS CONCEDED

Again, this doesn't look good for the United pair. They concede fouls in much larger quantities than their peers at the other top clubs and it ties into their susceptibility against fast opponents.

Maguire has conceded 35 fouls in Premier League games, an average of 1.2 per match. Lindelof has given away 20 fouls.

Fair enough, Ruben Dias has conceded 19 fouls but it's at a lower average of 0.7 per game. Stones, remarkably, barely concedes any - just five in 18 league outings.


Maguire and Lindelof are both guilty of conceding too many fouls compared to their peers

Thiago Silva brings all his experience to bear when it comes to not giving away silly fouls - just nine conceded all season from 17 games.

The Everton centre-backs Michael Keane and Ben Godfrey also hardly give any fouls away - just 0.4 on average per 90 minutes.

TACKLE SUCCESS

In terms of winning the ball back in tackles, Maguire does compare fairly favourably with his Premier League peers. He's won 12 of 22 tackles made this season, a slightly better rate than Lindelof.

Leicester's Fofana and Everton's Godfrey seem to be the ball-winning kings in the tackle with 21 and 20 successful ones respectively, while Alderweireld has won 18.

United's pairing have similar figures in this regard to Stones and Dias though you might imagine City's defence is put under less pressure in most games, necessitating fewer tackles in the first place.

BLOCKS AND INTERCEPTIONS

Ferdinand did speak about Maguire having other strong points and this is definitely one of them. 51 interceptions at an average of 1.8 per league game is considerably higher than everyone else.

It demonstrates that Maguire has an excellent reading of the game and is more often than not able to anticipate when an opponent is going to play the ball.

Dias has made 31 interceptions at 1.2 per game, by means of comparison, while Fofana (45 at 2.5) and Keane (39 at 1.5) also do well when it comes to cutting the ball out.

Lindelof, for the record, averages just one interception per 90 minutes in league games suggesting Maguire does most of the anticipation when they play together.


Maguire's reading of the game and anticipation is spot on the majority of the time

Maguire makes more blocks too (19) but it's the Everton duo of Keane and Godfrey with 23 and 24 respectively, and also Eric Dier at Spurs (24), who chuck themselves in the way of shots most often.

Perhaps that's because they're required to absorb more pressure in games, certainly when it comes to Jose Mourinho's cautious approach to many games.

RECOVERING THE BALL

This is a definite Maguire strength - getting to the ball first and securing possession for United. He's done it 171 times in 29 league games, almost six times a game.

For clarity, a recovery is defined by Opta as 'where a player recovers the ball in a situation where neither team has possession or where the ball has been played directly to him by an opponent.'

So a good few will come from the opponent giving the ball away when trying to crack United's defence but it also shows Maguire is very good at seizing the ball for his team.

By comparison, it's 117 recoveries for Dias, 113 for Fofana, 101 for Dier and 99 for Lindelof.

Add into this the fact that carrying the ball out of defence is a strength for Maguire and it's a definite plus point.

DUELS WON

This is probably what Ferdinand had in mind when speaking about Maguire's strongest attributes because the two players are very much an echo of each other.

Maguire wins, on average, four aerial duels and six other duels per match which is head and shoulders above any other regular centre-halve at a team doing well this season.


Maguire has some of the best stats in the Premier League when it comes to duels won. Sometimes the United skipper's willingness to stick his head in where it hurts does cause pain

We all recognise a player unafraid to stick his head in where it hurts or use his physicality to muscle opponents off the ball.

There's a sense that Lindelof often needs covering as well, especially when it comes to defending aerial balls, and his average of 2.3 aerial balls won every game is below par.

CONCLUSIONS

So it seems Ferdinand's assessment is spot on. Maguire can be a liability when faced with speedy opponents who can just dribble around him. He probably does concede too many fouls.

But he does make up for this with his ability to win the ball in the air, to cut out passes with an intelligent reading of the game and to win back possession for his team in various ways.

That's why his place in the United side isn't in doubt.

Lindelof, with his weaker statistics, remains his regular partner but you really have to wonder if that will be the situation next season if United wish to move forward.





Code:
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-9371733/Was-Rio-Ferdinand-right-say-Harry-Maguire-Man-Uniteds-biggest-concern.html
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Old 03-05-2021, 10:08 AM   #23
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Default Re: United defender under Solskjaer

Eric Bailly looks set to be Man United's FOURTH CHOICE centre back next season despite new deal. With Victor Lindelof's spot up for grabs as Solskjaer chases a long-term partner for Maguire, they haven't learned their lesson from Jones and Rojo debacles

* Eric Bailly signed a new deal at Manchester United that runs through to 2024
* Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is said to have reassured Bailly over his playing time
* Harry Maguire is United's No 1 option and he's been partnered by Victor Lindelof
* United have made no secret of a desire to strengthen in defence this summer
* Sportsmail looks at what Bailly's deal means for himself and the other defenders


News of Eric Bailly's new deal at Manchester United raised eyebrows in some quarters as it was only a matter of weeks ago that the suggestion was the unhappy Ivorian was ready to quit.

There he was on Monday afternoon, pen in hand, signing a new contract to stay at Old Trafford through until 2024.

Bailly, 27, has struggled for game-time behind Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof and with talk of a summer arrival, his opportunities looked set to become even more remote. Even with this new deal, many feel he could still be the fourth option.


Eric Bailly was convinced by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to commit his future to Manchester United. Solskjaer believes Bailly's speed and aggression will prove important to the United squad. Bailly is believed to have been given assurances by the boss that he will get more game-time

Bailly is said to have received sufficient reassurances over his playing time and has agreed a new long-term deal at United, with the option of a further year.

He arrived under Jose Mourinho from Villarreal but has seen himself fall down the pecking order under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, with form and fitness both contributing factors.

Nonetheless, he insists he had no hesitations over a new contract.

'This decision is something I didn't have to think about, I love this club and I love playing for Manchester United,' he told the club's official website following Monday's announcement.

'I'm happy and so are my family, everything is good. Now the moment with my injury has passed and I'm fit and feel good, and that's it. A new contract is like a new challenge and I'm ready for this.

'That's why I say the new contract shows the group has confidence in me - the coach, the staff and the players and, for me, that is very important. And that's why I made this decision to stay at the club.

'For me, it's the dream to be here. Now it's my fifth season and I hope to be here a long time.'

The question now is, what does it all mean for the future of United's defence? Maguire wears the captain's armband, Lindelof has the trust to partner the England international, Axel Tuanzebe is a highly-rated academy star and is there any life left in forgotten man Phil Jones? Sportsmail breaks down United's options...

HARRY MAGUIRE

Age: 28

Contract: Until 2025

In short: he's going nowhere.

Bailly's new deal is no threat to Maguire and the future of United's defence will be built around him, rather than leave him watching the construction with a hard hat from afar.


Harry Maguire (centre) is United captain and he will be at the heart of the defence for years

He's in his prime for club and country at the age of 28 and it spoke volumes when Solskjaer was keen to give him the armband. On and off the pitch he has become a role model for a dressing room crying out for leadership.

The focus now seems to be to find a long-term partner for Maguire, hence talk of a summer move for one of Europe's finest defenders.

Lindelof and Bailly will likely be able to audition for the full-time role but doubts remain over both.

RB Leipzig's Dayot Upamecano was a target but he has since committed to joining Bayern Munich at the end of the season.

Raphael Varane, Pau Torres, Jules Kounde and Dan-Axel Zagadou have all been mooted as potential options with all four able to provide pace alongside Maguire, an area which is key to partner the ex-Hull City and Leicester defender.


Villarreal's Pau Torres (right) as mooted as a potential long-term partner for Maguire at United

Losing Marcos Rojo in February in a permanent deal to Boca Juniors opened a spot in defensive options while Tuanzebe is out of contract next summer and nobody quite knows at Carrington what is left of Jones.

United cannot be left in a situation where one injury to Maguire could go on and derail their season.

United have shipped 11 goals more in the league so far this season than champions-elect Manchester City and United have seen the impact a signing like Ruben Dias has had in fixing City's issues defensively.

Maguire has provided a major presence but needs a long-term partner and so far it appears unclear if that man is - or isn't - Lindelof.

VICTOR LINDELOF

Age: 26

Contract: Until 2024

Unlike Maguire, Lindelof may have shuffled uneasily at news of Bailly's long-term contract extension.

The Sweden international has successfully managed to establish himself as Maguire's regular partner in central defence under Solskjaer but if Bailly has assurances over playing time, it would suggest he is far from established moving forward.

Lindelof made a slow start to life at United when he arrived in 2017 but has gone on to look much more comfortable in English football.


Victor Lindelof (right) has largely had trust of Solskjaer (left) to be Maguire's regular partner

He has made 40 appearances across all competitions this season, compared to Bailly's 15, and would appear to have the edge but talk of a new partner for Maguire, even before Bailly's extension, can't have filled him with much optimism.

The Swede extended his own deal back in 2019 through until 2024 and Solskjaer was full of praise for him then.

'He brings calmness on the pitch and I can see that he is determined to help this club and to be successful here,' Solskjaer said.

'I’m extremely happy that he has committed his future to Manchester United.'

The challenge has been laid down for Lindelof, go and prove you are as secure in the starting XI as Maguire.

AXEL TUANZEBE

Age: 23

Contract: Until 2022

The big casualty, it seems.

It was Bailly and Tuanzebe that found themselves out of contract next summer and talks were struggling to progress for either to extend until Bailly was convinced this week.

Tuanzebe is highly-rated by supporters but it may mean little when it comes to his future at the club.

Bailly has got assurances over playing time that have convinced him to stay but it is difficult to see Solskjaer extending the same promises to the 23-year-old given he has Maguire and Lindelof already top of the pecking order.


Axel Tuanzebe (left) played well against PSG but has found opportunities difficult to come by

Tuanzebe is out of contract next summer and it may be a loan move next season that can allow him to stake his best case of regular minutes.

Since breaking into the first-team group the Academy starlet's progress looks to have been stunted and despite an impressive performance away against Paris Saint-Germain in this season's Champions League, he does not seem primed to break up Maguire and Lindelof.

If a new defender comes in he could find himself fifth choice and there is a growing sense that news of Bailly's renewal comes worst for Tuanzebe, who may have hoped an exit for the Ivorian opened the door for a possible run at the first team.

He has made 15 appearances for United this season, just six of which came in the Premier League, and a split between Tuanzebe and United appears the most likely scenario from this position.

PHIL JONES

Age: 29

Contract: Until 2023

Jones should have served as a warning to United when it came to mulling over whether to give Bailly a new deal.

Like Rojo, who has now departed, Jones showed little prior to being given a long-term extension, only to find it a false dawn with fitness an issue.

These long-term deals for players that, deep down, they don't really want makes them immovable objects in the transfer market because no team wants to match salary.


Phil Jones is at United to 2023 and yet he remains miles away from playing in the first team

Jones, who extended his deal in February 2019, is on United's books until 2023 barring a miracle that someone actually wants to pay money to sign him.

He has sat out this season due to injury but was seen training for the first time in 2021 a couple of weeks ago.

Jones suffered a troubling knee injury in January 2020 and he has never fully got to grips with it since.

Solskjaer did bizarrely include the centre back in United's Premier League and Europa League squads for this season but the chance of him ever getting a run out was remote to none.

Bailly was a chance for United to buck their own trend by offering ageing - and injury-prone players - lucrative contract extensions but they opted to give him one anyway despite Jones serving as a constant reminder at Carrington.

The Ivorian's deal means nothing for Jones - he is already miles away from appearing in the first team again. United have no one to blame but themselves for another two years joined at the hip to Jones.


Marcos Rojo (left) and Phil Jones (right) are examples of United extending contracts for players they don't actually want and many feel they have fallen on old habits by extending Bailly

ERIC BAILLY

Age: 27

Contract: Until 2024

All the arrows appeared to be pointing to the exit door and yet here we are, Bailly given assurances he can work his way back into contention.

But there is every reason to believe that Bailly could go into next season as fourth-choice option, Jones as the fifth, and United fans asking just why are the hierarchy extending these defenders?

United have shown an unwillingness to let players walk away for nothing after getting burned by Paul Pogba going to Juventus - only to need £89m to bring him back years later.

The issue with Bailly is his health. He's battled Covid-19 recently but before that injuries have been a problem and have been a problem in his five years at the club.

One hundred games in five years should be a concern - Maguire has played more games for United than Bailly despite being there for half the time - but clearly the powers that be believe he still has something to offer.

When fit Bailly has shown glimpses of brilliance but the key word there is when and conditionals are becoming too frequent in defence of him.

The challenge now is to repay the faith shown by this new deal. Fail to do so will once again take United down a road well travelled for defenders they keep paying and cannot shift.


Bailly has played just 100 matches for United in his five years since joining from Villarreal

Code:
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-9515841/Manchester-United-does-Eric-Baillys-new-deal-mean-Red-Devils-defence.html
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Old 30-07-2021, 03:17 PM   #24
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Default Re: United defender under Solskjaer

Raphael Varane's arrival at Manchester United is BAD news for Victor Lindelof, even worse for Eric Bailly, and injury-plagued Phil Jones now needs a NEW club... here's what £42m star signing means for all their other centre backs

* Manchester United have agreed a deal in principle to sign Raphael Varane
* French centre half, who will cost them up to £42m, represents major upgrade
* Varane is expected to partner United's skipper Harry Maguire in the back line
* But his arrival at Old Trafford has a major knock-on effect for other defenders
* Victor Lindelof is set to be replaced as Maguire's usual defensive partner


Manchester United have moved decisively to address a glaring weakness that held them back last season.

The signing of France international centre back Raphael Varane from Real Madrid, at a cost of £34million potentially rising to £42m, is a major piece of business.

Central defence was the area that cost Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side too often in a 2020-21 campaign that once again saw them finish trophyless.


Raphael Varane, who won the World Cup with France in 2018, is set to join Manchester United. The defender could cost United up to £42million with add-ons as he joins from Real Madrid. Varane's arrival means a new central defensive partner for United captain Harry Maguire

While captain Harry Maguire played himself out of disastrous early season form to enjoy a very good year, question marks remained over his usual central defensive partner Victor Lindelof and United's other options in that position.

Varane, a four-time Champions League winner and World Cup champion in 2018, brings the winning pedigree that United will hope propels them to long overdue success.

It's pretty much certain he will line up alongside Maguire in United's defence and the pair should complement each other well.

But his imminent arrival at Old Trafford will naturally have a knock-on effect for United's other centre backs. We take a closer look at their prospects ahead of the new season.

Victor Lindelof

Undoubtedly the player most impacted by Varane's arrival and the one with the most to lose.

The Sweden international started alongside Maguire in 27 Premier League matches last season and he featured in 45 games in total across all competitions.

Maguire and Lindelof did show some steady signs of improvement as they played more games together but question marks remained over the Swede's aerial ability, calmness on the ball and susceptibility to pace and physicality.

They weren't exactly the fastest pair, something exploited by quite a few opponents, and Maguire's command in dealing with crosses and high balls masked Lindelof's weakness. But on their day, they did form an impressive partnership.

Lindelof is a £31m player, signed by Jose Mourinho from Benfica in 2017, and he has established himself as a first choice. Solskjaer has always favoured him over Eric Bailly.

But the brutal reality is he will be spending a lot more time warming the bench provided that Maguire and Varane form a solid enough partnership when the season begins.

In certain games, Solskjaer may opt for three central defenders and that will allow Lindelof a chance to start alongside Maguire and Varane. There will also be plenty of cup games.


It isn't good news for Victor Lindelof, who was a first choice in the heart of United's defence. Maguire and Lindelof looked vulnerable at times last season but could also be rock solid

You have to imagine, however, that in the Premier League and Champions League, it will be the skipper and the new arrival, not Lindelof.

He gave a reminder of his abilities with a man-of-the-match performance for Sweden against Spain at Euro 2020 last month but it could be a frustrating few months ahead.

Eric Bailly

It was back in April, off the back of a frustrating, injury-plagued season, that Bailly signed a new contract through until 2024.

He might have known United would move for a new centre half in the summer and the result leaves him demoted from third choice to fourth.

Bailly started 10 Premier League, five Europa League and a handful of other cup games during a season in which he struggled with fitness issues and competition for places.


Eric Bailly (left) in action against Liverpool during a largely frustrating 2020-21 campaign

Game time was believed to be the major consideration when Bailly was discussing the terms of his new contract so he must have received assurances and been satisfied.

But it's difficult to see how he plays much in the season ahead with Solskjaer likely to favour Lindelof ahead of him on the occasions when Maguire and Varane sit a game out.

United spent £30m on Bailly when he joined from Villarreal in 2016, just as Mourinho started his tenure, but he's only played 106 games in the five seasons since.

The fact United subsequently went out and bought Lindelof, Maguire and now Varane doesn't reflect too kindly on the Ivorian.

Reports are already suggesting Bailly will now seek clarification on his prospects at Old Trafford because as it stands he'll be seeing a lot of the subs' bench.

Phil Jones

It's a tragedy how knee injuries have robbed Phil Jones of the prime years of his career.

The 29-year-old didn't play at all last season after suffering further setbacks with the timeframe for his return to action continually pushed back.

It's very easy to forget that Jones was in the England squad at the 2018 World Cup in Russia, playing in two matches.


Phil Jones last played for United in January 2020 in an FA Cup tie at Tranmere Rovers. Jones is working his way back to fitness after knee injuries but isn't likely to play too regularly

He's also one of the few players in the United dressing room who knows what it's like to win the Premier League title.

It's over 18 months now since Jones made an appearance - scoring in an FA Cup win at Tranmere Rovers in January 2020 - and though Solskjaer has given his whole-hearted backing, it could well be time for a new club.

Reports this week hint at interest from West Ham, with United considering letting Jones leave on a free transfer despite two years remaining on his contract. Newcastle have also been linked.

He has fallen so far down the defensive pecking order, there's very little chance of much action and it would be a shame if Jones recovers his fitness but then can't play.

Axel Tuanzebe

When Tuanzebe put in a brilliant performance in United's Champions League win away to Paris Saint-Germain last October, it looked like a breakthrough was imminent.

United have always had high hopes for the 23-year-old academy graduate but Tuanzebe wasn't able, or given much chance, to kick on.

He played in 19 matches overall but in a bit-part role of only 918 minutes, and Varane's arrival means he looks further away than ever from nailing down a regular spot.


Axel Tuanzebe in action during United's pre-season friendly loss to QPR last Saturday

To that end, reports suggest Tuanzebe will be allowed out on loan in the season ahead with Newcastle one of those interested.

Tuanzebe played alongside Teden Mengi in United's defence at QPR last Saturday and didn't cover himself in glory as the team shipped four goals.

He's not exactly hammering on the door of the first team and a loan move somewhere to gain more regular football is a sensible move.

Teden Mengi

There are also high hopes at Old Trafford for 19-year-old Mengi, another academy product.

He made his senior debut against LASK in the 2019-20 Europa League and was subsequently promoted into the first-team squad. However, he didn't play last season.

Mengi linked up with Wayne Rooney at Derby County in a loan spell but returned early after picking up an injury. Nonetheless, the nine Championship games he did play will have been valuable.


Teden Mengi plays against Queens Park Rangers in Man United's friendly last Saturday

With no obvious route to the United first team, another loan would be the best option and Mengi has been linked with a return to Derby.

He looked rusty at QPR last weekend, allowing Charlie Austin to sneak in completely unmarked to head home the home team's equaliser but it is still pre-season.

Another year in the hustle and bustle of the Championship will be to Mengi's benefit.

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Lindelof & Bailly backup, Jones jual, Tuanzebe & Mengi dipinjamkan saja
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