Manchester United have been linked with a host of different midfielders this summer, with that area emerging as one of Erik ten Hag’s top priorities this summer.
Donny van de Beek is the last midfielder to join United and the Dutchman has started just four league games since making the move from Ajax in 2020.
Two senior midfielders in Nemanja Matic and Paul Pogba will both be leaving the club upon the expiry of their contracts later this month, leaving a gaping hole in United’s engine room.
Frenkie de Jong, the Barcelona midfielder, is Ten Hag’s prime target for the position but recently, United have been paired with a move for Chelsea star N’Golo Kante.
The 31-year-old has just one year remaining on his contract at Chelsea and could be heading towards the exit, with United reportedly monitoring the situation.
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There are, however, doubts over a move. According to The Athletic, United hold concerns over Kante’s injury record, despite the chance of a potential cut-price deal due to his contract length.
According to the statistical website Transfermarkt, Kante has been injured on 19 different occasions since 2019 – a stark contrast to the three occasions he was sidelined in all of his professional years prior.
SN’s verdict…
There’s no denying that Kante remains one of Europe’s best ball winners and his impact on Chelsea’s extraordinary turnaround last season was breathtaking.
Kante was paramount to their surprising Champions League triumph but United have signed aging defensive midfielders from Chelsea before and in the long run, it didn’t work out.
Matic reunited with Jose Mourinho at United in 2017 but the Old Trafford faithful only got to see him at his best for one campaign before his form started to drop. At 31, there’s a high likelihood that Kante’s best days are behind him.