Bayern Munich defender Kim Min-jae admits he’s considering his situation after being benched in recent weeks.
The centre-back spent just one season in Italy before earning a big move away from Napoli, where he had won a Serie A title.
Min-jae had no shortage of interest last summer. If anything, all of the top clubs were linked, including United – but only the Bundesliga champions could convince him to join.
The 27-year-old has recently been left on the bench in favour of Tottenham-loanee Eric Dier, which is not something he is used to – or would experience in the current United squad due to the lack of quality defenders at United.
“I have never experienced being on the bench so often before, but I think I can learn something from it,” Kim told t-online.
“I’m thinking a lot right now. I have also played a lot of games but there are so many good players in Bayern, so I might not play.”
France defender Dayot Upamecano has been left out of games, too.
Bayern boss Thomas Tuchel explained the situation from his perspective three weeks ago, before a league match with RB Leipzig.
“Min-Jae simply needed a little break,” Tuchel said of the South Korean who did play five tournament fixtures for country at the Asian Cup. “He’s a few percentage points beyond his limit. It’s nothing major.”
So, we know that United were interested in the past, so why not knock on the door again this year? I don’t think Bayern will rush into selling a player like Kim, or Upamecano for that matter, but they’ve got at least three top centre-backs to consider at all times. That won’t be an easy situation for Tuchel’s replacement to manage at the end of the season.
Meanwhile, United should be trying to take advantage of a situation like this by reaching out to Kim’s representatives. That way we can find out if he’s open to a move to Old Trafford in the summer.
Subscribe to the Stretty News podcast Strettycast for weekly episodes on Manchester United. You can also sign up to the ad-free Stretty Newsletter. Get the Stretty News verdict on all matters Manchester United.
