Manchester United are ‘monitoring’ La Liga star David Affengruber. Here is a look at what you need to know…
Ineos are casting the net out across the globe to assess potential transfer targets this summer. David Affengruber is a name now on the club’s radar.
Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo report United are paying attention to Affengruber’s performances this season.
- Full name: David Leopold Affengruber
- Age: 19/3/2001
- Position: Centre-back
- Nationality: Austrian
- Club: Elche
- Former clubs: FC Liefering, Red Bull Salzburg, Sturm Graz
- Contract: Expires June 2027
David Affengruber’s impressive season
David Affengruber has started 27 out of 32 league games for Elche this season. He joined the club in 2024, leaving his native Austria.
He scored in their recent 3-2 win over Atletico Madrid, also providing an assist. It was the first time he had done either this season.
Affengruber won all four of his aerial duels and completed 89 per cent of his passes, putting together a top quality all-round performance.
The centre-back’s form has attracted interest from Atletico too, along with Villarreal, Sevilla and Betis. His contract expiring in 12 months time has put clubs on high alert, supposedly including United.
Here are some notable statistics about Affengruber’s 2025/26 season so far…
- Ranks #4 among centre-backs for ball recoveries with 4.8 per game (total 131)
- #7 in La Liga all positions for interceptions, #3 among centre-backs (total 43)
- Ranks #5 among centre-backs for total tackles with 2.3 per game (total 62)
- #10 in La Liga for total defensive contributions at 10.0 per game (total 271)
His personality has been praised by Elche boss Luis Sarabia, who said: “His fighting spirit and hunger… When football isn’t enough for certain things, there’s Affengruber. He inspires the team, especially when you have that beast in the back.”
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Ralf Rangnick has paid attention
Austria manager Ralf Rangnick recently called David Affengruber up to make his debut for his country. He came off the bench in a 5-1 friendly win over Ghana.
Former Manchester United interim boss Rangnick said at the last international break: “We followed his games at Elche closely and decided to take a look at David now.”
He also added that there is no guarantee he will make the World Cup squad, so Elche’s Sarabia has weighed in with some blunt advice.
“If he doesn’t go to the World Cup, it will be one of the greatest injustices in the history of football.”
The Christopher Vivell factor
There is a reason Manchester United are taking note of David Affengruber’s rise; there is a connection with head of recruitment Christopher Vivell.
Affengruber came through the Red Bull Salzburg system, playing for their feeder club Liefering, before stepping up.
Vivell was heavily involved with the club’s network, with Affengruber and Benjamin Sesko playing alongside each other 44 times.
This connection and his potential availability makes Affengruber a very viable potential addition this summer. A cheap deal could be far more likely than a swoop for Micky van de Ven.
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