United linked to Federico Valverde and a look at what Zidane has said about him

Add as preferred source on Google

Manchester United have been keeping tabs on Real Madrid midfielder Federico Valverde, according to the Sun.

They report that Valverde has a whopping £148 million buyout clause in his Bernabeu contract – a figure United are highly unlikely to pay.

But with Madrid’s financial situation far from ideal and their long-term goal being to raise funds to land Kylian Mbappe, a swoop shouldn’t be ruled out.

Here’s more information about the 22-year-old reported target…

What do they say about him?

For a 22-year-old central midfielder, there aren’t too many better managers to learn from than Zinedine Zidane.

In October 2019, Zidane hailed the Uruguayan’s improvement, saying: “Valverde was great today, and I am very pleased for him. He is dedicated to improving and he shows that in training and now in games.

“He has played an important role in this game – the second goal (for Hazard) was down to his work to get to the ball.”

In December of the same year, he went further, saying the midfielder fulfills Madrid’s long-held traditions of having the best players in the world.

“He is someone that is doing very well and that is the principle of this club, we’ve always had the best players.”

The biggest moments of Valverde’s career

In January 2020, Valverde made an unconventional matchwinning contribution in the final of the Supercopa de Espana.

With five minutes remaining in the game between Real and city rivals Atletico Madrid, he committed a professional foul on former Chelsea striker Alvaro Morata to prevent a clear goalscoring opportunity.

He was sent off – deservedly – but Real went on to lift the trophy on penalties.

Valverde drew praise from both Zidane and Atletico boss Diego Simeone after the game, with the Argentine admitting it was what any other player would do.

That incident actually echoes one from Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s own career, during the 1997/98 season.

He hacked down Newcastle’s Rob Lee in a similar position, although later told FourFourTwo that Sir Alex Ferguson didn’t approve of the challenge.

Valverde’s desire to win will likely have impressed Solskjaer, and so will his goal in an El Clasico victory at the Nou Camp in October.

The Uruguayan contributed to a 3-1 win, which was perhaps his biggest moment in a Madrid shirt.

He also has 22 caps for his country already, and two goals to boot, which is a decent total considering his age.

Versatile Valverde

The midfielder’s versatility is mentioned in the Sun report as major plus for United.

Valverde can play a deeper midfield role as well as operating further forward.

That would give Solskjaer different solutions for different games. For example, against West Brom on Sunday, more creativity from the two sitting midfielders would have been welcome.

There’s a lot to like about Valverde and it seems wise for United to be taking a look at him at this stage.

• Kobbie Mainoo will be relishing Ruben Amorim clash as reunion now becomes real possibility
• Tyler Fletcher is learning Scott McTominay’s biggest strength during World Cup training
• Man Utd admire Premier League star who was labelled the next Rio Ferdinand amid contract dispute
• Kobbie Mainoo and Leny Yoro in agreement over Man Utd ‘one to watch’ next season
• Forget Tchouameni, Man Utd must raid Real Madrid for an era defining market opportunity
• Not only Rio Ferdinand, Nemanja Vidic has become really ‘close’ with one other former Man Utd teammate
• Fabrizio Romano shares what Man Utd are now trying to do in Mateus Fernandes transfer negotiations
• Man Utd now pushing ‘intensely’ to sign Bazoumana Toure this summer, Amad could play key role
• Forget Cristiano Ronaldo, Omar Berrada’s father felt Lionel Messi ‘reminded him’ of one Man Utd legend
• Paul Pogba pinpoints Michael Carrick’s biggest test as Man Utd manager for 2026-27 Premier League season