Why Manchester United should have signed Wissam Ben Yedder

In July, a report from the Express had claimed that Manchester United were interested in signing striker Wissam Ben Yedder from Sevilla. However, the Red Devils later cooled their interest and the Frenchman went on to sign for AS Monaco during the summer transfer window.

Wissam Ben Yedder, 29, spent three strong seasons with Sevilla, the most recent of which was his most productive. He bagged 30 goals in all competitions in the 2018-19 campaign, along with 11 assists.

Monaco finished 17th in Ligue 1 last season, avoiding the relegation play-offs by just two points. The Ligue 1 club will definitely need the 29-year-old’s goals to climb the table this season.

That being said, Manchester United have made a big mistake by not signing Wissam Ben Yedder before the new campaign’s start.

United sold Romelu Lukaku to Inter Milan but they opted against bringing in a replacement. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer wants his team to play with pace and intensity, press and win the ball higher up the pitch.

Lukaku was deemed a misfit for this system and was let go off by Solskjaer, who wants to build his team around young, hungry and talented players.

In rebuilding his United side, the Norwegian manager has also allowed Alexis Sanchez to join Inter Milan on a season-long loan.

This has further weakened United’s squad, with Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial, Daniel James, Juan Mata and Jesse Lingard as the club’s only recognised attackers left now.

The Red Devils could have done a brilliant job by signing Ben Yedder. The Frenchman possesses a number of technical attributes which suggest he can drop deep and link-up play, like a modern-day central striker, with high dribbling, quick movement, passing and vision.

He is an excellent finisher in front of goal and can terrorise opposition with his off the ball movement and burst of acceleration. Not only is he a clever finisher but he supports the players around him and brings others into the game.

Ben Yedder’s versatility to play in any attacking position, off the front as a number ten or on either wing, would have made him perfect in Solskjaer’s system.

Yedder, Rashford and Martial’s threat in behind with their blistering pace and intelligent movement would have terrified Premier League defenders.

Verdict

Looking back through Ben Yedder’s last three seasons in Seville and there is clear evidence that he has a knack of being a reliable centre-forward that does his job well. 

At 29, he is also playing at the peak of his powers and has proven himself in the La Liga and Europe.

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Hence, United missing out on the diminutive Frenchman could come back to haunt Solskjaer and co. in midst of the season.