Celik is said to be a target of Fulham'splaceholder image
Celik is said to be a target of Fulham's | Getty Images
Manchester United need to upgrade in several positions and have been linked with signing a new right-back from Serie A.
Man United linked with Roma full-back Zeki Celik
What Amorim needs now, is upgrades in positions where he has had to make do after prioritising the forward line in the summer. Extending Harry Maguire’s contract gives experienced cover to what will look a more settled back three once Lisandro Martinez is fully fit, but it is the wing-back positions where United need more quality with Diogo Dalot never really convincing and being anything other than a serviceable, or reliable option.
To put it another way, would Dalot even make the matchday squad of Arsenal, Man City, Chelsea or the struggling Liverpool? No. He is neither an outstanding defender nor a dynamic attacking threat. In the right team he will be a perfectly fine right-back, but United need more which is why they have been linked with Roma right-back Zeki Celik according to TEAMtalk.
The 28-year old is a mainstay in the Serie A leaders’ starting XI but is out of contract at the end of the season and attracting interest from Man City, Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea and United as the Italians look to pin him down to a new contract.
Using DataMB’s comparison model, it is easy to see why United are considering a move for the Turkey international. Celik is just better, at almost everything a full-back is expected to do. Other than expected assists, the Turk is better in possession, better at crossing, better at dribbling and at winning defensive duels. Exactly what United need.
Radar image of Roma's Zeki Celik (blue) and Diogo Dalot (pink) using season 2025/26 statistics.placeholder image
Radar image of Roma's Zeki Celik (blue) and Diogo Dalot (pink) using season 2025/26 statistics. | Data MB.
What Dalot said about Ruben Amorim
Dalot has remained a consistent presence in United’s line up since Amorim arrived at Old Trafford and when the Red Devils boss first arrived from Sporting Lisbon, it looked like a match made in heaven, via The Guardian: “He made an impact straight away in terms of his philosophy and the way he wants us to play. It suits the standards of the club – high-intensity football and working hard for the team.
“We have to give credit to him and his staff for all the information they gave us. It was really clear and obviously now we will take some more training sessions and games to put this into practice. He’s really demanding. He’s exactly what we need for this type of club. That’s the standard the club should have, by demanding people are really professional and working hard for the team. That’s the clear message that he gives us every day.” A year later, and both could be on borrowed time at Old Trafford.
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