With Leicester City being relegated from the English top tier, the links for Wilfred Ndidi away from Manchester United have emerged yet again, and given that the Nigerian midfielder is available for a transfer worth just £9 million owing to a relegation clause in his contract with the Foxes, it makes a potential acquisition for his signature a rare low-risk, high-reward opportunity in the inflated market of today.
United do need a new midfielder given how we saw that the Manchester Reds struggled to have that someone who was a connector between defence and attack with the ball. And without the ball, the midfield was comparatively stable, but when the ball was lost in that final third, you’d suddenly see a lot of vacant zones behind the second phase, which would end up troubling the backline at the end.
But the question remains: Is Ndidi the right fit for United under Ruben Amorim?
Why signing Ndidi makes sense for Man United
Ndidi has impressed for Leicester City and the Nigeria national team.
Ndidi has impressed for Leicester City and the Nigeria national team. (imago Images)
We saw quite a lot of times how United struggled to have that presence in the midfield, one that allowed Bruno to step out of his midfield zones and integrate more into the offensive sequences, and this is where the Manchester Reds need a defensive midfield cover. I still think that United are lacking that long-term solution at the base of midfield, especially considering how Casemiro’s decline is quite evident (and the Brazilian has also been linked with a move away from M16), and while Manuel Ugarte is an optimal presence, he doesn’t offer the kind of defensive discipline that is needed for Amorim’s system to thrive.
And if United end up signing Ndidi, he gives you those elite ball-winning metrics (given how he is still among the best in Europe for tackles and interceptions). He also has that intelligence when it comes to positioning while sitting deep, and he has that experience in the English top tier.
Moreover, given that he is available for a fee of £9m, he is definitely a steal, especially considering the huge value that he brings to the table. If United does end up signing him, the 28-year-old could arrive as a possible rotational piece or even a bridge option while the scouts at Carrington continue to scout or develop a long-term #6. Moreover, given how the financial flexibility at Old Trafford has been a thing of headlines since INEOS took charge of the club, bringing in Ndidi doesn’t dent the budget for other marquee signings.
And then if I am talking about his fit into the structure at M16 under Ruben Amorim, then in the 3-4-3 or 3-5-2 that the Portuguese head coach prefers, the two central midfielders must be defensively alert and capable of circulating the ball, and while Ndidi is not elite in progressive passing, the fact that he has that ability to recover second balls and allow a more creative partner (like Bruno Fernandes or Kobbie Mainoo) to roam could end up being a valuable asset, especially in away games or against top sides where that solidity in the midfield is highly important.
Possible problems that United should be contemplating before signing Ndidi
Wilfred Ndidi in action for Leicester City.
Wilfred Ndidi in action for Leicester City.
There is an injury problem that the medical staff at Carrington need to look into, given how the Nigeria international has had a few start-and-stop seasons owing to macular problems. Moreover, if I am thinking about Ndidi from years ago at Leicester City and from past campaigns, I think there has been a reasonable decline, especially in his numbers when it comes to passing and involvement in the build-ups (which is a possible red flag in the current system at United given that it thrives on midfielders who are capable of moving the possession under pressure).
And then the fact that he is twenty-eight (28) means that he would not align perfectly with the sign them young transfer model that the club wants to adapt under INEOS.
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Author Opinion
Wilfred Ndidi is not a transformational transfer, but he’s a clever one. But in a transfer worth £9m, he delivers ball-winning at the highest level; he has that valuable Premier League know-how and instant tactical versatility. And if Man United are pragmatic, they can pair him with a more attacking player to create a sense of balance in the midfield.