Following a strong inaugural season under Erik ten Hag, Manchester United will be hoping to leave their sad FA Cup final loss in the rearview as they enter the summer vacation.
In addition to leading the Old Trafford team into the Champions League group stages and winning the team its first trophy since 2017, the Dutchman will be looking to elevate the Red Devils in 2023–24. With his first season behind him.
However, in order to accomplish this, he will need to bring in a few more new players while letting some of the squad’s veterans go. There will be a similar expectation that he would be able to make similar deals given that he brought players like Lisandro Martinez and Casemiro to United last summer.
Real Madrid president Florentino Perez stated that it will require an offer of about €80 million (£69 million) in order for negotiations to start, but United have been connected to midfielder Federico Valverde in Spanish media sources, so they may raid Real Madrid once more.
Possibly, Federico Valverde could make Manchester United better.
The 24-year-old Uruguayan is approaching his prime years of play and has had a glorious run of success at Madrid, winning two La Liga crowns and a Champions League trophy. If he were to join United, they would profit from his winning mindset in the centre of the midfield.
The midfielder’s resemblance to Ilkay Gundogan of Manchester City, who FBref claims is the player most like Valverde in terms of attributes, is another reason why he may benefit the Red Devils. It’s not a bad comparison to make, especially given the German’s amazing career, in which he’s amassed 13 major awards and evolved into the engine of Pep Guardiola’s City machine.
In fact, over the past year, Gundogan has ranked in the top 10% across Europe’s major five leagues for non-penalty goals, touches in the attacking penalty area, and total shots per 90, while the Uruguayan has ranked in the top 10% for non-penalty goals and total shots while falling to the top 21% for touches in the opponent’s box per game, indicating that the two provide an excellent goal threat from the centre of midfield overall.
Ilkay-Gundogan-Manchester-City
Given that no centre midfielder for United scored more than seven goals during the whole 2017–2018 campaign, this is something they may take advantage of. Valverde demonstrated the value he brings to Madrid by finishing as their third-best player in La Liga, fifth for goals and assists, and sixth for key passes made per game. Gundogan offers a similar influence at City, ranking similarly highly for the same metrics, suggesting that Ten Hag could have a world-class operator as the centre of his side should he sign him this summer.
Joe Cole, a former Chelsea player, praised Valverde as “unbelievable” in the latter part of last year, and the 24-year-old wouldn’t be phased by a transfer to Old Trafford after displaying his skills at the Bernabeu.
