Why Manchester United should go for Lorenzo Pellegrini in January

Manchester United suffered a disappointing 2-0 defeat to West Ham at London Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

The Red Devils finished last season in terrible form and they’ve very much picked up, in the same manner, this campaign. Draws with Southampton and Wolves have been joined with defeats to Crystal Palace and now West Ham in their opening six matches.

They still remain in a period of transition despite acquiring the likes of Harry Maguire, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Daniel James this summer.

The top four was always seen as the realistic aim for Manchester United this season after falling down to sixth by the end of the 2018/19 campaign but even that looks like a tough task, thanks to the additional competition from the likes of Leicester City, West Ham and Everton this season.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side were woeful at West Ham on Sunday and the club needs to invest heavily in every area of the pitch to come closer to the likes of Liverpool and Manchester City.

They look desperately short of options in central midfield and the striking department, and reinforcing those areas in January should be Solskjaer’s topmost priority.

In Paul Pogba, Fred, Nemanja Matic, Scott McTominay and Andreas Pereira, the Red Devils are miserably light in the midfield. United’s midfield has been left short following the exits of Marouane Fellaini and Ander Herrera, with Solskjaer turning to the likes of McTominay and Pereira to fill the void.

However, with Pogba seemingly still looking for a way out of Old Trafford and Matic ageing, Solskjaer should make a move for AS Roma star, Lorenzo Pellegrini.

Lorenzo Pellegrini, 23, who was linked with United last year, has been one of the standout players for Roma so far this season, bagging four assists in as many games.

The 23-year-old is a versatile player who can play in different positions across the midfield. It is his flexibility that would give Solskjaer a lot of options.

More Manchester United News

A quick, intelligent and energetic player, the Italian combines his great athleticism with outstanding technical abilities to keep things ticking over for his team.

Pellegrini has a wonderful array of passing, plus his excellent vision would help improve open the fluidity of United’s play through the middle of the park.

The ex-Sassuolo ace is a real talent, and his all-action style of play would undoubtedly prove to be a real asset for the Red Devils.

Verdict

At just 23, Pellegrini has a high ceiling, and he could go on to become one of Europe’s best central midfielders. Thus, Solskjaer must do everything he can to bring the Italian international to Old Trafford in January, as he could turn out to be a fantastic signing for United.