Manchester United won’t be signing Aurelien Tchouameni this summer, with Manchester United now considering alternatives, including his France teammate Manu Kone.
This week has been the busiest of the transfer window yet for Manchester United, with Andrey Santos set to arrive from Chelsea.
But it hasn’t been all positive, with United missing out on Aurelien Tchouameni as the Frenchman is set to sign a new contract at Real Madrid.
Santos tracks quite well as an alternative to Tchouameni. But interestingly, TEAMtalk have suggested that Manu Kone is now being considered by United, with the timing surely making him an alternative to Tchouameni.
Kone also happens to be Didier Deschamps’ alternative to Tchouameni within the French World Cup squad.
CAPTION THIS… Picture from when Andrey Santos came up against Aurelien Tchouameni on international duty
An old school Caption Competition 🏆
Manu Kone replaced Aurelien Tchouameni for France vs Morocco
France are through to the World Cup semi-finals after a comfortable 2-0 win over Morocco in Boston, and it came without Tchouameni who remains injured.
In his place, Kone has been shining for France and that trend continued against the current AFCON champions.
Kone scored a 7.2 match rating on Sofascore, playing 71 minutes before being rested. Here are his numbers from the game.
- 47 touches
- 1 key pass
- 35/38 passes completed (92%)
- 2/2 long passes (100%)
- 2 defensive contributions
- 1/1 tackles won
- 1 interceptions
- 5 recoveries
- 3/4 ground duels won
- 1/2 aerial duels won
Kone’s performance was really solid, while also being largely untroubled by a disappointing Morocco side.
Among the poorest performers in red was Ayyoub Bouaddi.
United have been linked with Bouaddi, but if it is Kone or Bouaddi, this game was the perfect indication of which is ready right now to aid Michael Carrick’s midfield.
Bouaddi was hooked in the 62nd minute for Sofyan Amrabat as he scored a 6.1 Sofascore rating. Physically, Bouaddi wasn’t up to it and failed to win a single tackle, while winning one of five duels.
He was sloppy on the ball too, mainly in his own half, misplacing four passes of 27 in his own half which was due to France pressing him.
Bouaddi wasn’t even Morocco’s best midfielder, showing why Ineos might need to rethink the interest. But also highlighting that Kone as an alternative to Tchouameni might be really smart.
Aurelien Tchouameni is set to stay with Real Madrid… So WHO should be Man Utd’s marquee midfield signing?
What are your thoughts on where United turn next?!
Manu Kone would be a brilliant signing for Manchester United
This summer’s midfield rebuild hasn’t gone as expected for Manchester United, but that isn’t exactly a bad thing.
Santos will be a big improvement on what United have had for years, while despite the doubts around Ederson even being signed he will also be a solid addition.
United are proving that you don’t have to pay premiums to strengthen, and Kone would be another example of this, likely costing below £50m.
It makes a lot of sense, and his height of 6ft 1in is yet another tick in the plus column for Kone to be signed.
He might not be, but Thursday proved at least that he is ahead of Bouaddi right now.
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