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Man Utd are looking to improve the attack, however, they have just been given a great chance to strengthen the defence.
Manchester United aren’t rushing in to replace the injured Lisandro Martinez despite centre-half being a position of some concern.
Ousmane Diomande remains a name at the top of the most wanted list with Ruben Amorim familiar with the towering stopper from his time at Sporting Lisbon.
There is no sign of a new contract for Harry Maguire despite the Red Devils boss admitting that the England international had become one of his key players and the leader who once wore the United captain’s armband. At 32-years old he still has more than a few years at the top level and stability could be useful with so many changes being needed throughout the team.
Lucas Beraldo hands in transfer request at Paris Saint Germain
One player who Liverpool were heavily linked with in the past could be available with L’Equipe revealing that Paris Saint Germain’s Lucas Beraldo has handed in a transfer request. If United want to climb the Premier League table, they have to be targeting players who have been seen as good enough for those at the top.
“Lucas Beraldo wants a starter status in the big events and wants to leave PSG. Brazilian central defender Lucas Beraldo, looking for playing time and a different status, asked to leave PSG this summer. A validated request, but under conditions.”
At only 21-years old Beraldo still has a lot to learn in his position after breaking through as a teenager at São Paulo leading PSG to pay around £20m for his services. Representatives from Liverpool had travelled to Brazil to meet the stopper but it was the French outfit that secured his signature.
Despite the 3-0 defeat to Chelsea in the final of the Club World Cup, PSG still have one of the best defences in Europe with Beraldo’s chances of regular game time always likely to be limited despite his ability to play centrally or at left-back.
How does Beraldo compare to two of the Premier League’s best?
Beraldo, at 6ft 1inch tall, might not be as commanding a figure as Virgil van Dijk, howevr, using Data MB’s comparison tool, it is easy to see why Liverpool might be interested if the Brazilian is available. Which is exactly why United should be interested.
As painful as it might be, United’s bitter rivals are the benchmark and using current Anfield regular Ibrahima Konate and the Premier League’s most sought after centre-half signing Marc Guehi, the young defender compares favourably and wouldn’t have any problem adapting to life under Ruben Amorim.
Radar image comparing Lucas Beraldo of PSG, Marc Guehi and Ibrahima Konate.placeholder image
Radar image comparing Lucas Beraldo of PSG, Marc Guehi and Ibrahima Konate. | Data MB
Beraldo is more dominant in the air than Guehi and Konate, and these aren’t the only statistics where the youngster comes out on top. The Brazilian’s ability to play at left-back also makes him perfect for Amorim giving the Red Devils’ boss the luxury of changing shape during games without having to make substitutions.
He is more consistent with his passing, being more successful and playing more forward and progressive passes. There also isn’t much between Beraldo and the two Premier League defenders in terms of ball carrying statistics either.
It would be a statement of intent if United signed one of the continent’s brightest prospects and a player who all the top clubs in Europe were after at one stage. United’s best chance of joining them once again relies on them having the players to do so and Beraldo ticks almost every box.
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