Ten Hag could land an ideal Varane heir with Man Utd swoop for 20 y/o “prospect”

Manchester United face a busy run of fixtures earlier than Christmas that might make or break their season relying on their success or failure in these matches.

The Outdated Trafford aspect have two very important Champions League ties in opposition to Bayern Munich and Galatasaray to return, whereas in addition they need to face Newcastle United, Chelsea and Liverpool within the Premier League.

If Erik ten Hag can get via this robust run, and it’s a large if, it would simply be the catalyst the membership want to enhance in the course of the second half of the marketing campaign and problem for a high 4 spot within the desk.

Having gained simply 9 of the primary 18 matches within the present season, Ten Hag might look to strengthen his faltering aspect in the course of the January switch window, particularly as a few of his gamers are attracting consideration from elsewhere.

Casemiro is reportedly being focused by golf equipment in Saudi Arabia in accordance with 90min and this might go away an enormous void within the centre of United’s midfield.

The riches supplied by the Center East may tempt the Brazilian into making the transfer to Asia and this may increasingly imply Ten Hag delves into the switch market.

Man Utd switch information

Whereas their midfield choices may very well be lighter with Casemiro probably departing, Ten Hag may even be eager on strengthening his defensive choices forward of the second half of the season.

The Crimson Devils have conceded 30 targets in simply 18 matches this season already and one thing must be completed to repair this leaky defence.

Based on German outlet Bild (by way of TEAMtalk), United are conserving tabs on younger French defender Castello Lukeba forward of the January window with hopes of luring him to England.

The 20-year-old secured a transfer to RB Leipzig from Lyon in the summertime, regardless of United displaying curiosity within the teenager earlier this yr.

Scouts from Outdated Trafford, in accordance with the report, have been monitoring the centre-back this season, though a transfer may be deemed barely unrealistic within the subsequent few months on condition that he has solely been within the Bundesliga for the reason that summer time.

He may emerge as a dream inheritor to Raphael Varane ought to he make the transfer to Manchester, particularly as the previous Actual Madrid defender has been linked with a transfer away.

Raphael Varane’s future at Man Utd

Originally of November, TEAMtalk revealed that Varane was attracting consideration from golf equipment in Saudi Arabia, they usually have been seeking to make a transfer for the defender in January.

With simply 18 months left on his present contract, the subsequent switch window may very well be the best time for Ten Hag to money in on the 30-year-old and recoup a price just like the one they shelled out for him simply over two years in the past.

Having established himself as one of many best centre-backs on the continent throughout his spell with Madrid, Varane has turn into increasingly more injury-prone since arriving in Manchester.

Certainly, for the reason that starting of the 2021/22 season, the Frenchman has missed 38 matches due quite a lot of damage points and he as not fairly been at his good greatest, together with his absences not permitting him to search out his rhythm on the pitch.

This season, the 30-year-old has began simply 4 Premier League matches whereas he fails to rank within the high ten within the squad for correct passes per sport within the league (30.4) together with rating within the fifteenth spot for tackles per sport (0.6) and nineteenth for interceptions per sport, clearly proving that he has not been an excellent contributor offensively or defensively.

Damage issues may very well be catching up with the French titan as, even when he’s match sufficient to characteristic, Varane has not been fairly on the similar stage which noticed him win 4 Champions League crowns with Madrid together with securing a World Cup winners medal for France in 2018.

By signing Lukeba, Ten Hag may unearth a pure inheritor to the United defender on the flip of the yr.

Castello Lukeba’s profession statistics

The younger gem made his debut for Lyon in the course of the 2021/22 season, finally that includes 30 occasions in what was a breakthrough season, and his performances have been extensively praised.

Journalist Josh Bunting waxed lyrical concerning the defender in December 2021 following a match in opposition to Metz, saying: “Castello Lukeba once more spectacular for Lyon at Metz , actually sharp younger participant not simply getting the objective however he’s slotting into that again 3 very properly, he’s a really correct passer of the ball,will get on it and may transfer it rapidly. Additionally has an excellent move choice about him. Massive prospect.”

As you’ll be able to see inside the desk above, Lukeba has outperformed Varane at league stage this time period because of the defensive influence he has had on the pitch.

One other 38 appearances adopted final time period earlier than he secured his large transfer to Leipzig in the summertime and together with his current performances in Germany, Lukeba is starting to seem like the true deal.

The 20-year-old ace has already made 16 appearances, together with 4 within the Champions League, and is wanting settled at his new membership this time period.

Not solely does he rank second amongst his teammates for correct passes per sport within the Bundesliga (57.5), however the defender additionally ranks within the high ten for tackles (0.7) and interceptions (0.3) per sport, demonstrating how spectacular he has been in defence.

Not solely is he adept at passing and dictating the play from the center of the defence, however he has spectacular physicality for somebody so younger. Lukeba has gained 63% of his whole duels – three per sport – within the German high flight this time period and his means to get the higher of opposition gamers in a single one-on-one battles is great.

The Leipzig sensation featured for the France U21 aspect on 14 events earlier than lastly making his debut in opposition to Scotland final month in a 4-1 victory, approaching with simply three minutes left.

Along with his spectacular performances this time period, nevertheless, he may probably sneak into the Euro 2024 squad subsequent summer time, and this could be the catalyst for him to actually present his value on the large stage.

Lukeba is definitely following within the footsteps of Varane and, if given continued publicity on the highest stage, he might finally attain his stage.

United want one other centre-back desperately and Lukeba is an enchanting prospect. Whereas a transfer within the subsequent few weeks may be out of the query, the Dutchman ought to be doing all the pieces he can to lure the teenager to Manchester sooner quite than later.