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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 Evening News 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Outdated Trafford scouts are “persevering with to observe” each defenders, who’ve fashioned a key a part of Xabi Alonso’s undefeated Leverkusen facet.
The German membership presently lead Bundesliga, having not misplaced a single sport all season. They’re 5 factors away from Bayern Munch with a greater aim distinction, having emphatically defeated Thomas Tuchel’s facet 3-0 on the weekend.
Leverkusen are by 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 to be able to confuse opposition defences. Frimpong and Tapsoba have each been central to this technique.
Frimpong is a dominant power at proper wing-back. The Dutchman is given full freedom to push ahead, present a continuing outlet for his staff and spending extra time within the opposition field than his personal.
Eight targets and 9 assists in all competitions underscores simply what an attacking power Frimpong has been this yr.
However this attacking mentality has not come at the price of defensive stability, nevertheless. In reality, Inter Milan are the one facet to have conceded fewer league targets than Leverkusen throughout Europe’s high 5 leagues this season.
Tapsoba has fashioned a dominant unit, alongside Jonathan Tah and Odilon Kossounou, on the coronary heart of Alonso’s defence, which, in flip, allows Frimpong and Alex Grimaldo to push ahead from their respective wing-back positions.
The Burkinabé defender is snug on both facet of defence, although he primarily performs at LCB for Leverkusen. His athleticism makes him robust in one-on-ones, whereas additionally permitting him to successfully cowl massive areas, usually vacated by Grimaldo.
The 25-year-old can also be glorious in possession, ranking highly throughout each metric for passing and ball development.
The Manchester Night Information report suggests Outdated Trafford officers are focusing 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 big elements of this season.
Tapsoba suits the invoice completely.
The report additionally signifies United “held discussions” with Frimpong’s representatives final yr, however determined towards a transfer, owing to Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s improved kind.
With the Englishman having fallen down the pecking order underneath 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 lively on the finish of the season.
As such, the Dutchman seems a robust candidate for any high membership trying to strengthen the suitable facet of their defence in the summertime.
A double swoop on the BayArena might subsequently be on the playing cards for Outdated Trafford officers this summer season.
