Reaction as Manchester United linked again to Jules Kounde

Manchester United’s incoming switch enterprise this window by no means obtained began. However it’s by no means too early to stay up for the summer time.

The Mirror report United have already began. Sevilla’s Jules Kounde is being touted because the membership’s primary switch goal.

This isn’t the primary time United have been linked with Kounde. ESPN claimed again in mid-October that he was on the membership’s radar.

Kounde is a centre-back who featured in opposition to United again within the Europa League semi-final final season.

That is his second season at Sevilla, following his transfer from Bordeaux in 2019.

He’s continued his good kind

Kounde is displaying he’s no one-season surprise. He has began 17 out of a doable 20 La Liga video games to assist Sevilla transfer into third place in La Liga, only one level behind Actual Madrid.

The younger defender is an alternative choice to fellow Frenchman Dayot Upamecano, who at this level appears almost definitely to signal with Bayern Munich.

Whereas the 2 defenders share the identical nationality and place, they each play with completely different types. Kounde is smaller at 5ft 10″ and depends on his studying of the sport and positional sense moderately than bodily attributes.

He leads Sevilla this season in interceptions per recreation (1.3) through Whoscored.com and has picked up simply two bookings all season.

Examine this to Axel Tuanzebe, who has amassed six yellow playing cards in 12 complete appearances, and it’s clear you’ve gotten a defender who could be very comfy taking part in his recreation in a much less aggressive fashion.

Kounde additionally excels as a passer, with a 89.5 per cent success charge, above Harry Maguire’s 86.5%. His passing is at a excessive quantity too, averaging 68 per recreation. This might place him high in United’s squad.

What this implies for United’s gamers

We have now recognized all season that centre-back was a place the place long run United may have strengthening. 22-year-old Kounde can be a giant funding.

Harry Maguire shouldn’t be going wherever, however query marks persist over Axel Tuanzebe’s functionality to make it on the membership, whereas Eric Bailly must get to the top of the season harm free.

Victor Lindelof is on a long run contract till 2024 with an additional 12 months’s possibility. Whereas he isn’t going wherever, he does want extra competitors. A transfer for Kounde can be one which raises the bar.

United are shedding some squad depth, with Marcos Rojo set to be launched and Phil Jones a non-factor more likely to be bought in the summertime.

Teden Mengi is heading out on mortgage. A robust displaying might give United pause for thought earlier than committing to a £60-70 million transfer for Kounde.

The query mark over the deal pertains to how a lot cash United want to decide to the place, and whether or not a winger, defensive midfielder or striker grow to be greater priorities because the season progresses.

The defence has improved after a poor begin to the season. United’s reported plans so as to add one other centre-back retains the stress on the gamers to carry out.