Bayern Munich are not the only club who may be watching Ryan Gravenberch’s increasingly-impressive performances in the red of Liverpool through their hands.
According to Fabrizio Romano, Manchester United held talks with the Bundesliga champions over a potential deal for Ryan Gravenberch in August, Erik ten Hag opting instead for another of his former Eredivisie stalwarts in the shape of Sofyan Amrabat.
And, as Amrabat lumbered through a ten-minute cameo in the dying moments of Man United’s desolate defeat away to Newcastle, Gravenberch’s own – and very contrasting – performance less than 24 hours later will have done little to improve the mood of a fanbase who could be forgiven for wondering if Old Trafford was constructed on cursed land.
During that thrilling 4-3 victory over Fulham, Liverpool’s £34 million, deadline-day acquisition set about showcasing all the attributes which once made him an integral piece in Ten Hag’s Ajax blueprint. The attributes which made him perfect for Ten Hag’s Manchester United, and the attributes his current Red Devils crop appear to be lacking.
Ryan Gravenberch a missed opportunity for Man United
“He’s a really good player. Comfortable with the ball. (His ability to receive the ball) is outstanding,” Liverpool icon Dietmar Hamann tells TZ. “He can turn and run with the ball, give a good pass as well. He’s a great player.
“Gravenberch is doing it outstandingly so far. It’s almost unbelievable that he was barely used at Bayern under two managers. Gravenberch has a good physical presence, a decent finish and also a certain pace.
“When you see him at Liverpool you really wonder why he didn’t play a role at Bayern.”
You also ‘wonder’ why Manchester United, especially given connection between Gravenberch and Ten Hag, opted against turning their interest into anything more concrete.
Mason Mount has had injury issues
OK, an FFP-restricted United were in no position to stump up £34 million at the end of the window, landing Amrabat on loan.
But, while we are reluctant to kick a man while he’s down and pile yet more negativity upon poor Mason Mount, Gravenberch feels like the midfielder Man United have been crying out for ever since Ten Hag reluctantly accepted defeat in his pursuit of Frenkie de Jong. The man they really should have installed as summer target number one before going all in on Mount.
Time and again versus Fulham, Gravenberch would receive the ball under pressure and break the lines with a burst of ball-carrying acceleration. His ability to find a way through a Fulham press was highly impressive, with his choice of pass and his positive-thinking also catching the eye.
There is currently not a midfielder in Ten Hag’s squad who can do what Gravenberch does, and that is to United’s detriment. The Newcastle defeat again highlighted a chasm between United’s deepest midfielder and their most attacking one. A chasm Gravenberch, a natural, box-to-box ‘number eight’, could have filled impeccably.
‘Incredibly good’
“He is technically incredibly good. The first touch is insane,” Klopp tells the Liverpool website. “He’s a really good player.”
With Mount back in training after a recent injury, the England international will be desperate to make up for lost time and prove that he can be the solution to Manchester United’s midfield issues. But, with Gravenberch, an answer which appeared to be staring Ten Hag in the face is now solving problems down the road at Liverpool instead.
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