Man Utd have been urged to raid Chelsea for N’Golo Kante, with a pundit explaining what he and Frenkie de Jong have that Erik ten Hag’s current options don’t.
The two key areas the Red Devils seem most intent on addressing this summer are centre-back and central midfield. Fabrizio Romano recently claimed Eric Bailly has been told he is free to leave the club. Ajax pair Jurrien Timber and Lisandro Martinez have both been linked with giving United’s backline an immediate lift.
In midfield, Paul Pogba and Nemanja Matic are both destined to leave for free.
That will leave just Fred, Scott McTominay and potentially James Garner on the books in the engine room. Garner has excelled on loan with Nottingham Forest this year and could be given a chance to impress back in Manchester.
Regarding potential arrivals, a whole host of names have been mentioned.
Declan Rice, Kalvin Phillips, Frenkie de Jong and N’Golo Kante have drawn frequent links. Of that quartet, the easiest deal to make would appear to be with Barcelona for De Jong.
Doubts have emerged over United’s ability to finance the sums Barcelona are requesting. Furthermore, the Dutchman wants Champions League football and that won’t be on offer at Old Trafford next year.
But if Manchester United are to kickstart Ten Hag’s tenure the right way, few would be surprised to see them go above and beyond to secure his signature.
Current United options lack top level experience
Kante too has been linked to United, with the Frenchman entering the final year of his Chelsea deal next season. Kante has begun to struggle with injuries of late, though remains one of the world’s best when fit.
Now, speaking to Football Insider, former Premier League striker, Kevin Campbell, explained why the pair would “transform” Man Utd “straight away”.
In doing so, Campbell revealed what that pair have that Fred and McTominay don’t.
“You need experience as well,” Campbell said when asked about Kante to United.
“This is the problem. McTominay and Fred are decent players but they are not experienced at the top, top level.
“When you talk about De Jong and Kante you are talking about a Netherlands international at Barcelona and a World Cup winner. Kante has won Premier League titles with two clubs. He is a top player.
“Yes, he has suffered injuries of late but the geezer’s a running machine when fit. He’s unbelievable.
“Those two signings would transform Man United straight away. I like the names they’re talking about. The key is, can they get them?”
N’Golo Kante, Frenkie De Jong partnership viable?
In the unlikely event United were able to sign both superstars, their midfield would appear to have the perfect blend.
Kante’s struggles with injury this year are well documented. Though in the absence of Europa League football, Ten Hag could spare him from the Europa League and preserve him for league matches only.
The exact formation Ten Hag will deploy is not yet known. His time in Ajax saw both a 4-2-3-1 and 4-3-3 utilised. However, both Kante and De Jong would have no trouble fitting into either of those structures.
The bigger question is whether United are actually capable of pulling off both deals.
Kante would have to give up Champions League football to join Man Utd. What’s more, the speculation linking him with a Chelsea exit has only been fleeting as yet.
De Jong, on the other hand, appears a more gettable target. He is familiar with Ten Hag through their time together at Ajax. Should he be the only midfielder United sign this summer, he would still represent a huge upgrade on what the club already have.