Manchester United beat Bournemouth at Old Trafford on Monday evening, and they are on the teetering edge of the top four in the Premier League.
Victory for Ruben Amorim's side would lift United into fifth, behind Chelsea only due to an inferior goal difference. Whichever side of the fence fans sit on regarding the manager and his controversial tactics, there is no question that progress has been made after last season's malaise.
Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim applauds fans after the match
The impending African Cup of Nations is going to see a host of Red Devils depart from their domestic duties over the next month. The right-hand side is going to take a hit, with Bryan Mbeumo, Noussair Mazraoui and Amad Diallo all primed to depart.
Diogo Dalot may be called back into a more natural berth than he has been playing this season, out in a left wing-back role. However, the Portuguese is not the solution, and United are ready to make a move in the January market.
Man United lining up new wing-back
There have been issues pertaining to Amorim's proposed system at Manchester United right from the get-go. Square pegs into role holes, and so on.
Dalot has struggled, with content creator Liam Canning commenting in November that the versatile defender is "becoming a worry long term", given that he "doesn’t look like he suits the wing back role".
Likewise, Amad has been shoehorned into a position that is not his own, and an improvement is needed on that count too.
That's where Crystal Palace star Daniel Munoz comes in, with Caught Offside confirming Man United's interest in the wing-back, with Chelsea and Manchester City also keen.
daniel-munoz-crystal-palace
Eagles chairman Steve Parish claims the 29-year-old, who is contracted until 2028, is not for sale, but INEOS are ready to spend, and previous reports regarding Chelsea's interest outline that a fee in the region of £26m could do the trick.
What Daniel Munoz would bring to Man United
A late bloomer, Munoz plied his trade with Genk in the Belgian Pro League less than two years ago, joining Crystal Palace for a smart £7m fee in January 2024.
Lacroix-Will-Hughes-Munoz-Crystal-Palace
They've got bang for their buck down in south London, with Munoz now recognised as being "one of the best right wing-backs in the Premier League" by the likes of one professional football scout.
As per FBref, Munoz ranks among the top 11% of positional peers across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for goal involvements, the top 7% for tackles and the top 6% for touches in the attacking box.
His athleticism and ferocity down the right channel don't leave much to be desired, and he would slot right into United's starting line-up, more rounded and composed than someone like the 26-year-old Dalot.
Premier League 25/26 - Daniel Munoz vs Diogo Dalot
Stats (* per game)
Matches (starts)
Goals
Assists
Touches*
Accurate passes*
Big chances created
Dribbles*
Ball recoveries*
Tackles + interceptions*
Clearances*
Duels won*
Errors made
Data via Sofascore
Munoz's ability to confidently, and without error, back his forwards up is something that United have struggled to provide this season. There is a disjointedness about Amorim's build-up play, the system so reliant on effective wing-backs.
Dalot is clearly not the solution, but neither is Amad, a fleet-footed and snappy winger who operates deeper than he would like to serve the project.
Amad-1
A talented and dynamic player, Amad has performed dutifully this season, but he does not possess natural defensive instincts. He wants to get involved up top and has been caught out several times this year when defending against the transition.
This is not an issue for Munoz, who might not dribble forward much but still covers plenty of ground, his impressive statistics in front of goal telling something of his timing and decision-making. Sky Sports' Jamie Carragher, after all, has hailed him as "the best wing-back in the league" for these very reasons.
The Colombian is now experienced in the Premier League and has played an instrumental part in winning silverware under Oliver Glasner's wing. He is the real deal, and were INEOS to win the race this winter, they would sign an upgrade on not just Dalot but the out-of-position Amad too.
Man United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo Related
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Manchester United have a "hidden gem" in the academy who could emerge to end Kobbie Mainoo's career at the club.