Players who have played for Manchester United and Lazio amid Thomas Strakosha move

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Former Lazio goalkeeper Thomas Strakosha looks set to become a Manchester United player following his release from the Stadio Olympico.

With Dean Henderson moving to Nottingham Forest on a season-long loan, Erik ten Hag has been keen for United to sign a number two stopper who can both challenge and provide cover to David de Gea.

The 27-year-old Albanian international spent ten years in the Eternal City following his move from Greek side Panionios.

Strakosha, who has been capped 19 times for his country, made 208 appearances for Lazio from which he claimed 62 clean sheets.

During his time in Italy, Strakosha won four cups and despite previous interest from Fulham and Chelsea, talkSPORT reports that United are close to signing the stopper on a free transfer, following the expiry of his contract with Lazio last month.

With Strakosha potentially becoming Ten Hag’s second signing, United in Focus takes a look at the players who have played for Manchester United and Lazio.

Players who have played for Manchester United and Lazio

Juan Sebastian Veron

After 79 appearances with Lazio which saw the Argentine win the Scudetto and three cups, Manchester United splashed out £28.1m in July 2001 to make Veron the most expensive player in British football history.

Veron’s best performances in a Manchester United shirt no doubt came in the Champions League when the game was played at a much slower tempo which allowed the South American to dictate and control the tempo of a match.

Veron, who made 82 appearances under Sir Alex Ferguson, won the Premier League title with the Reds before joining rivals Chelsea.

Jaap Stam

The aggressive and dominant Netherlands centre-back was only at Manchester United for three years, but in his first season with the Reds, following his move from PSV Eindhoven, the Reds won the Treble.

Stam won three successive Premier League titles under Sir Alex, but after a falling out with the legendary Scotsman, the defender was sold to Lazio which Fergie later admitted was a mistake.

Stam played 127 times for Manchester United and made 94 appearances for Lazio across three seasons before joining AC Milan.

Andreas Pereira

The one-time Brazil international joined United as a youngster from PSV Eindhoven ten-and-a-half years ago.

After making his first team debut for the Reds in the infamous 4-0 embarrassment against MK Dons under Louis van Gaal, the midfielder has struggled to nail down a regular starting berth in the United starting XI.

Pereira, who is closing in on a permanent move to newly-promoted Fulham, spent the 2020-21 season on loan at Lazio where he made 33 appearances across all competitions.

Nani

Nani’s fortunes at Manchester United drastically changed following the retirement of Sir Alex and he moved back to Sporting Lisbon on loan in 2014 as part of the deal which saw Van Gaal sign Marcos Rojo.

The Portuguese international, who won four Premier Leagues, Champions League, Club World Championship and two League Cups, made 230 appearances for the Red Devils before joining Fenerbahce on a permanent deal where he linked up with former Red Robin van Persie.

After a year in Turkey, the forward moved to La Liga giants Valencia but after a season in Spain he joined Lazio on a season-long loan.

The 35-year-old, who is currently a free agent following his release from Venezia, made 25 appearances for Lazio.

Karel Poborsky

Following his move to Manchester from Slavia Prague, the Czech Republic international played 47 times for the Reds across 18 months before moving to Benfica.

After three years in Lisbon, the bushy-haired midfielder made the switch to Lazio where he would stay for 18 months before returning to his homeland with Sparta Prague.

The 119-time Czech Republic international made 53 appearances for the Italian giants.

Other Players who have played for Manchester United and Lazio

• Ravel Morrison (three first team appearances for Manchester United, eight appearances for Lazio. Currently a free agent following his release from Derby County)
• Federico Macheda (joined Manchester United as a youngster from Lazio but never featured for the Italian side’s first team. Made 36 appearances for the Reds and is currently playing for Greek giants Panathinaikos.