{"id":1240280,"date":"2022-01-03T15:30:41","date_gmt":"2022-01-03T15:30:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/?p=1240280"},"modified":"2022-01-05T11:49:06","modified_gmt":"2022-01-05T11:49:06","slug":"man-utd-january-transfer-targets-midfielders","status":"publish","type":"features","link":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/man-utd-january-transfer-targets-midfielders\/","title":{"rendered":"Four Nemanja Matic replacements Man Utd should target in January"},"content":{"rendered":"

Manchester United are looking to replace Nemanja Matic in the January transfer window.<\/strong><\/p>\n

New manager Ralf Rangnick had previously said<\/a><\/strong> “from my experience, winter is not the best time for sustainable transfers,” but after a rocky start to his managerial campaign with some middling performances against largely poor opposition, he may have changed his mind.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Athletic’s Laurie Whitwell has said that Rangnick wants a<\/a><\/strong> “tall midfielder as a top priority, essentially a replacement for Nemanja Matic.” And this makes sense when you consider that the defensive midfield line in Rangnick’s 4-2-2-2 system is the only line in which there is no one player you could even say to be above average.<\/span><\/p>\n

Matic has his moments, of course, but is a faded force too rarely in form. Whitwell says that Rangnick “admires Declan Rice and, of course, Jude Bellingham,” but concedes that neither man will move in January.<\/span><\/p>\n

While finding a midfielder as tall as the 6’4 (194cm) Matic may be tricky, if we take the 6’1 (185cm) Declan Rice as the baseline both in terms of physical profile but also technical excellence, who else could the Red Devils target in January?<\/p>\n

Aurelien Tchouameni<\/strong><\/h2>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

    \n
  • Age:<\/strong> 21<\/li>\n
  • Club:<\/strong> Monaco<\/li>\n
  • Country:<\/strong> France<\/li>\n
  • Height:<\/strong> 6’2 (187cm)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    This young French wonder is one of the hottest properties on the transfer market right now and it’s easy to see why. This defensive midfielder can do it all on the field and has already shown himself capable of playing international football like a backyard kickabout.<\/p>\n

    So far this season, Tchouameni has played 1,461 minutes for Monaco, racking up an impressive 45 tackles and 35 interceptions. He’s also attempted 1,039 passes including 246 in the opponents final third. He is an exceptionally balanced player capable of breaking up play and then moving the ball forward in a prompt and accurate manner in the exact way Rangnick likes his defensive midfielders to do.<\/p>\n

    Does Tchouameni pass the Rice Test?<\/strong><\/p>\n

    \"\"<\/p>\n

    Emphatically so, yes. Tchouameni’s radar shows how well-rounded he is as a player, covering almost every area you would want a defensive midfielder to. He outstrips Rice in terms of production both with and without the ball. Now, obviously you can’t compare roles and leagues with complete accuracy, but given how obviously brilliant Rice is, the potential for Tchouameni to be at least as good is clear.<\/p>\n

    None less than Cesc Fabregas himself have said that Tchouameni could become “the complete midfielder” in time. And for sure Monaco would demand a high premium given the interest of other elite sides like Real Madrid and Chelsea, but if United act fast they could beat them all to the punch and secure a true marvel for a decade of dominance at Old Trafford.<\/p>\n

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    He has the potential to be the complete midfielder. Modern midfield player, but we need him still… sorry ? https:\/\/t.co\/6NhLT18M25<\/a><\/p>\n

    — Cesc F\u00e0bregas Soler (@cesc4official) June 12, 2021<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n