Former Manchester United striker Dimitar Berbatov was impressed with Harry Maguire during the World Cup and believes his old club should make a move for the Leicester City defender.
Maguire was the subject of fervent interest from the Red Devils during the summer window with Jose Mourinho eager to bolster his defensive options, but a move failed to materialise and now Berbatov believes the club should renew their pursuit.
How close was Maguire to joining Man Utd? Five things to know…
- At the end of last season, Mourinho made no secret of his desire to sign a centre-back and identified Maguire as a viable option.
- After the World Cup, Maguire hinted he could be open to a move with the club.
- United were, however, reportedly unwilling to meet the Foxes’ asking price.
- Maguire has since revealed that the Leicester hierarchy told him: “I wasn’t for sale at any price.”
- He completed 51 out of 60 take-ons attempted last season, more than any other centre-back in the Premier, and continues to impress this term.
Tottenham’s Toby Alderweireld was also heavily mooted to relocate to Old Trafford, but Mourinho was reportedly unable to convince executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward to concede to Spurs’ financial demands.
United have since been linked with a host of names across the continent, but Berbatov believes the club need to sign a player already acclimatised to the Premier League.
“It’s always difficult to buy someone that’s really good in the winter window so if you are lucky enough to buy someone then you need to keep in mind how he’s going to integrate with the team,” he told BT Sport.
“If it’s someone coming from a foreign league it can be more difficult than joining from an English team.
“If you’re buying a central defender then you also need to think about who you’re going to partner him with because you could buy a really good player but if it doesn’t work out then that just causes another problem.
“But I think they need someone at the back that’s comfortable on the ball and don’t buckle under pressure even when someone is attacking you.
“You need to be calm, be able to pass the ball into midfield and carry it. I think they need a player like that.
“I was really impressed with Harry Maguire in the World Cup because he was so composed on the ball and I like that quality in a defender because it benefits the whole team.”
Should United look abroad?
With Leicester reluctant to part company from Maguire, Mourinho may have greater fortune in trying to persuade a proficient defender to join the books at Old Trafford from overseas.
One of the latest players to be linked with a move to the North West is Napoli centre-back Kalidou Koulibaly, whose name grew to prominence under Maurizio Sarri.
The Senegal international has forged a reputation for being one of the continent’s most expert ball-playing defenders, which is exactly what Mourinho is looking for.
That interest is only set to intensify as Carlo Ancelotti’s side suffered elimination from the Champions League, so a move to Old Trafford would present the opportunity for Koulibaly to remain in the competition.
However, the defender has since revealed his desire to win the Europa League with Napoli. According to the Daily Mail, he said: “We will try and win it.”
At present only five players have completed more passes than Koulibaly (392) in the Champions League this season, and he may be swayed to join United should the club meet Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis’ reported £90m asking price.
The post Man Utd urged to sign Harry Maguire by Dimitar Berbatov appeared first on Squawka News.
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