Manchester United and Ruben Amorim have enjoyed somewhat of a revival in recent weeks.placeholder image
Manchester United and Ruben Amorim have enjoyed somewhat of a revival in recent weeks. | Getty Images
Man United need to strengthen the defence if they are to fulfil their ambition of climbing the Premier League and have been given a boost regarding one potential target.
After managing to move on the big earners and trouble makers in the summer Manchester United now need to rebuild and strengthen.
Ruben Amorim is still having to put square pegs into round holes and the squad depth has never been more apparent than the bench against West Ham. At 1-0 in front, five defensive changes were made only for a late equaliser to cost United all three points at Old Trafford in a game that they really should have won. When goals are in short supply, it is essential that a clean sheet is kept, but on too many occasions the defence aren’t able to keep the ball out the back of the net.
Man United given Ousmane Diomande transfer boost
The full-back positions have been inconsistent at times this season with players, seemingly, unwilling to grab the proverbial bull by the horns and nail down a starting jersey. The centre-half area has also been an issue with Amorim almost having to pick by default on some occasions depending on injuries. The return of Lisandro Martinez will strengthen the defence as Luke Shaw continues to fill in with Harry Maguire’s future still uncertain.
A decision Amorim might regret is letting another club sign Sporting Lisbon’s colossus of a centre-half Ousmane Diomande, a player who has been linked in the past and who has gone from strength to strength this season. With 18-months left on his current deal, the Portuguese giants want the 21-year old to either sign a new contract or leave next summer. Having given him his breakthrough and helped his development, the Red Devils boss could have the advantage over his Premier League rivals.
According to A Bola, it doesn’t look like the player is going to put pen to paper any time soon with United, Newcastle and Crystal Palace all circling: “Sporting wants to renew Ousmane Diomande's contract but there has been resistance from the 22-year-old centre and his staff.
“The Lions want to extend the defender's bond until 2030, with a salary increase, but for now there has been no great receptivity despite Leonina's insistence. In the summer of 2026, the Ivorian enters the last contract season and knows that he has many interested in England.”
United could sign their own version of Bayern colossus
Diomande is a carbon copy of Bayern Munich’s 6ft 4inch tall Jonathan Tah, the perfect modern hybrid centre-half who is physically dominant and good with the ball at his feet. Think a combination of Maguire and Matthijs de Ligt.
Despite being young for his position, the Ivory Coast international has over 100 appearances for Sporting already as well as nine caps for his country. A comparison model using Data MB’s statistics shows just how similar the young defender is to the Bayern stopper.
Radar image of Sporting Lisbon's Ousmane Diomande (yellow) compared to Bayern Munich's Jonathan Tah (purple) using Data MB's comparison model.placeholder image
Radar image of Sporting Lisbon's Ousmane Diomande (yellow) compared to Bayern Munich's Jonathan Tah (purple) using Data MB's comparison model. | Data MB.
A release clause of £70m could be money well spent, especially if Maguire is allowed to leave given how physically dominate Diomande is and how well he would dovetail into a back three with Martinez and De Ligt.
Managers always love signing players who they know, who they trust, and who they have worked with before and, if Diomande decides that his future lies in the Premier League, the prospect of working with a manager he knows and loves could swing the deal.
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