Why Manchester United must spend big on Dayot Upamecano in the summer
According to a report from the Manchester Evening News, Manchester United are set to rival Bayern Munich for RB Leipzig star Dayot Upamecano in the summer.
Dayot Upamecano, 20, who has been with Leipzig since 2017, has been in top form in the Bundesliga this season. The French youth international has been a regular under Ralf Rangnick, playing 20 games across all competitions.
And the 20-year-old’s dominant displays in the defence have caught the attention of Manchester United and Bayern Munich. Either of them, though, will have to break the bank to sign the defender as his current deal includes a €100m release clause, the report adds.
Keeping that in mind, should Manchester United spend big in the summer to sign Dayot Upamecano? They should!
The Red Devils have successfully got their season back on track under the guidance of their interim manager, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. He has overseen vast improvements in the team, with players like Marcus Rashford, Paul Pogba, Nemanja Matic and Victor Lindelof enjoying their best bit of football in the famous Red shirt.
United have won 10 and drawn one in the 11 matches under Solskjaer, who has given them a realistic chance of claiming a top-four spot in the Premier League at the end of this campaign. And while the Norwegian has improved the dynamics of the team and changed their style of play, the defence still looks vulnerable and should be reinforced in the summer.
The Red Devils were unable to bring any new faces to Old Trafford in January. Failure to bring in defensive reinforcements has hit the team badly this season and despite Victor Lindelof showing signs of becoming a top centre-half of late, none of United’s remaining centre-halves have done enough to justify a place alongside the Swede in the longer run.
Dayot Upamecano could be the perfect player to partner Lindelof in central defence at United. The Premier League giants’ supposed interest in the Frenchman is understandable when you consider their desperation for a new centre-back and the fact that the Leipzig man is one of the most highly-rated youngsters in his position in Europe.
Strong, athletic, quick with excellent passing range, Upamecano has all the attributes to excel in the Premier League. The 20-year-old possesses the technical ability to play out from the back but he is also blessed with solid pace, which helps in making recovery runs.
At such a tender age he already has a great deal of first-team experience behind him as well, certainly making him ready to take the next big step in his career.
Read more: Man United’s £31m star is picking up the pace and Solskjaer’s side looks solid around him – opinion
Sure, Upamecano will cost a lot of money, but the message that this signing would send, as well as the effect he’d have on the pitch, would make it completely worth it. However, the 20-time Premier League champions have to make a serious effort to convince the defender to switch to Old Trafford.