Why Manchester United should sign Konstantinos Manolas from Roma
According to a report in Plymouth Live, Premier League giants Manchester United are determined to add a centre-back during the January transfer window, and they scouted Roma’s Konstantinos Manolas. The Red Devils took a close look at the Greek when the Italian side were playing Juventus last weekend.
It is being reported that new manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and his scouts were impressed by the centre-back’s performance against the Old Lady. Manolas can leave Rome in June and has a release clause of €36m.
The report further says that the 27-year-old recently switched his agent and joined Mino Raiola, who is Paul Pogba’s agent as well. Here’s why United should sign Manolas next month:
Manolas’ quality at the back would help the whole team
We witnessed Manolas at his best last season in the league, and especially in the Champions League.
Other than the Liverpool tie, the Greek was fantastic for the Italian team, scoring that infamous late winner against Barcelona in the quarterfinals. He is a proper rock at the back with extensive qualities on and off the ball.
He is so good in the air and wins duels at the rate of 2.5 per game in the league. He is good at making interceptions and clearing the danger first before trying to play out of from the back in pressure situations. The centre-back intercepts at an average of 1.6.
His passing from the back to the midfield and the full-backs is terrific. The 27-year-old boasts a pass success rate of 88.1% in the league, a stat with which any ball-playing centre-back would be proud of.
The best attribute about Manolas as a defender is his recovery pace. He never usually makes mistakes, but if he does, the pace helps him to recover those errors and he can also play in a high-line defence against rapid forwards.
All in all, the Greek has everything in his locker and for a centre-back, this is his perfect age. United need a centre-back and it is pretty evident. Getting Manolas would be ideal for them and for new manager Solskjaer.
From the player’s viewpoint, joining one of the best clubs in the world would enhance his reputation as a player. Furthermore, arriving at Old Trafford will also mean him playing in one of the best leagues in world football. Sounds so good and United have to make it happen!
Stats Courtesy – Whoscored.com