Manchester United legend Roy Keane has urged to Red Devils to target one Premier League midfielder in particular after impressing over the weekend.
The engine room for Manchester United has been one that has caused consistent problems for the Red Devils this campaign with teenage midfielder Kobbie Mainoo performing the best so far this season and he has become a mainstay at Old Trafford.
Casemiro is only just returning from injury, Mason Mount remains out of the team with an injury problem of his own and Scott McTominay is failing to prove his doubters wrong, despite his goalscoring exploits this season.
Everton midfielder Amadou Onana has been linked with a move to Old Trafford but it is another Premier League player who Roy Keane believes United should be in the race for.
Keane on midfielder United have to be in race for
Speaking on the Stick To Football podcast, Keane has suggested to United that they should sign Aston Villa midfielder Douglas Luiz, as the Brazilian continues his impressive season for Unai Emery’s side.
“He turns up every week this player. Never seems to be injured. Quality player. I like him,” Keane admitted.
“I think he was linked with Arsenal last year. There are no surprises there, with some of the Villa players, you think they can certainly go on to play for a Man United, Arsenal or even Man City, you look at Watkins.
“But I like Luiz. He is consistent. Turns up week in and week out. You know what you are going to get from him. I like a lot about him. Probably lacks that real pace, maybe. In terms of his decision-making and looking after the ball. Very, very good.”
Luiz transfer could be superb
Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal were linked with the Brazilian midfielder last season when the North London side were in the midst of a title race but the Red Devils could, theoretically, enter the race themselves.
Despite being sold from Manchester City, last season’s treble winners did have a buyback clause inserted in the deal but, according to the Manchester Evening News, that expired in 2021.
Luiz has netted six times and provided 3 assists in the Premier League for Emery’s side and he could be an interesting signing for United.
Alongside John McGinn, Luiz has been the fulcrum of Villa’s midfielder and it’s not impossible to picture the 25-year-old alongside Mainoo in the middle of the park and causing just as much damage to the opposition.
McTominay has scored a lot of goals from midfield for the Red Devils but, apart from this, has looked rather non-existent at times for United.
With Luiz, however, he could add the ball retention and progression that the Scotsman simply can’t.
According to FBREF, Luiz has completed 84% of his passes this season and makes 5.51 progressive passes per 90 minutes, this could help united’s attack massively if they can get quality service from their midfield.
If Onana is indeed too expensive, Luiz would be an excellent signing.
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