Manchester United were busy in the transfer market last summer and with the season approaching its end, preparations are beginning for Erik ten Hag’s second term in charge.
His first season is proving to be quite successful, having become the first United manager to win a trophy since Jose Mourinho did so in 2017.
Ten Hag has been reluctant to rotate his squad for most of this season and that could point towards a lack of depth, especially in midfield.
That was the area Ten Hag was most keen on strengthening last summer, with Casemiro and Christian Eriksen brought in. The latter could miss the rest of the season with an ankle injury, which resulted in the loan signing of Marcel Sabitzer.
Southampton midfielder Romeo Lavia has been one of this season’s breakout stars and earlier this week, the 19-year-old was linked with a move to the Old Trafford club.
Speaking recently, Lavia was quizzed on reported interest in him from other clubs but the teenager admitted that he’s not paying any attention to those suggestions.
🗣 "I don't read it! I just don't think about it and just enjoy my football."
Southampton midfielder Roméo Lavia reflects on reports linking him to several teams! pic.twitter.com/QN8UWxThNj
— Football Daily (@footballdaily) March 3, 2023
“I don’t read it,” Lavia told Football Daily. “I don’t read it, because I just don’t think about it.
“I just enjoy my football and focus on what we have to do as a club. Whatever is outside, it is not what I can control, so I don’t pay attention to that. Football, with how it goes, it goes so fast.
“One moment you can be in the headlines and the next, you’re not. So the only thing to do is just be neutral, don’t think about it and get your head down and work.”
SN’s verdict…
Lavia is, undeniably, one of the great midfield talents in the Premier League but it is likely that Southampton will demand a sizeable sum to agree to his departure this summer.
Should their 11-year stay in the Premier League come to an end, the landscape could change but it is also unclear whether Manchester City, who sold Lavia to the Saints last year, have first refusal on any sale.
