Ten Hag could land an ideal Varane heir with Man Utd swoop for 20 y/o “prospect”

Manchester United face a busy run of fixtures earlier than Christmas that might make or break their season relying on their success or failure in these matches.

The Previous Trafford facet have two important Champions League ties towards Bayern Munich and Galatasaray to return, whereas additionally they need to face Newcastle United, Chelsea and Liverpool within the Premier League.

If Erik ten Hag can get by means of this robust run, and it’s a huge if, it would simply be the catalyst the membership want to enhance through the second half of the marketing campaign and problem for a high 4 spot within the desk.

Having received simply 9 of the primary 18 matches within the present season, Ten Hag might look to strengthen his faltering facet through the January switch window, particularly as a few of his gamers are attracting consideration from elsewhere.

Casemiro is reportedly being focused by golf equipment in Saudi Arabia in line with 90min and this might depart an enormous void within the centre of United’s midfield.

The riches provided by the Center East might tempt the Brazilian into making the transfer to Asia and this will likely imply Ten Hag delves into the switch market.

Man Utd switch information

Whereas their midfield choices might be lighter with Casemiro probably departing, Ten Hag may even be eager on strengthening his defensive choices forward of the second half of the season.

The Purple Devils have conceded 30 objectives in simply 18 matches this season already and one thing must be finished to repair this leaky defence.

In line with German outlet Bild (by way of TEAMtalk), United are protecting tabs on younger French defender Castello Lukeba forward of the January window with hopes of luring him to England.

The 20-year-old secured a transfer to RB Leipzig from Lyon in the summertime, regardless of United exhibiting curiosity within the teen earlier this yr.

Scouts from Previous Trafford, in line with the report, have been monitoring the centre-back this season, though a transfer could be deemed barely unrealistic within the subsequent few months provided that he has solely been within the Bundesliga because the summer season.

He might emerge as a dream inheritor to Raphael Varane ought to he make the transfer to Manchester, particularly as the previous Actual Madrid defender has been linked with a transfer away.

Raphael Varane’s future at Man Utd

Initially of November, TEAMtalk revealed that Varane was attracting consideration from golf equipment in Saudi Arabia, and so they had been seeking to make a transfer for the defender in January.

With simply 18 months left on his present contract, the subsequent switch window might be the perfect time for Ten Hag to money in on the 30-year-old and recoup a payment just like the one they shelled out for him simply over two years in the past.

Having established himself as one of many most interesting centre-backs on the continent throughout his spell with Madrid, Varane has develop into increasingly more injury-prone since arriving in Manchester.

Certainly, because the starting of the 2021/22 season, the Frenchman has missed 38 matches due quite a lot of damage points and he as not fairly been at his sensible finest, together with his absences not permitting him to search out his rhythm on the pitch.

This season, the 30-year-old has began simply 4 Premier League matches whereas he fails to rank within the high ten within the squad for correct passes per sport within the league (30.4) together with rating within the fifteenth spot for tackles per sport (0.6) and nineteenth for interceptions per sport, clearly proving that he has not been an impressive contributor offensively or defensively.

Damage issues might be catching up with the French titan as, even when he’s match sufficient to characteristic, Varane has not been fairly on the identical degree which noticed him win 4 Champions League crowns with Madrid together with securing a World Cup winners medal for France in 2018.

By signing Lukeba, Ten Hag might unearth a pure inheritor to the United defender on the flip of the yr.

Castello Lukeba’s profession statistics

The younger gem made his debut for Lyon through the 2021/22 season, ultimately that includes 30 instances in what was a breakthrough season, and his performances had been broadly praised.

Journalist Josh Bunting waxed lyrical concerning the defender in December 2021 following a match towards Metz, saying: “Castello Lukeba once more spectacular for Lyon at Metz , actually sharp younger participant not simply getting the aim however he’s slotting into that again 3 very nicely, he’s a really correct passer of the ball,will get on it and may transfer it shortly. Additionally has an excellent move choice about him. Large prospect.”

As you’ll be able to see inside the desk above, Lukeba has outperformed Varane at league degree this time period because of the defensive impression he has had on the pitch.

One other 38 appearances adopted final time period earlier than he secured his huge transfer to Leipzig in the summertime and together with his current performances in Germany, Lukeba is starting to appear to be the true deal.

The 20-year-old ace has already made 16 appearances, together with 4 within the Champions League, and is trying settled at his new membership this time period.

Not solely does he rank second amongst his teammates for correct passes per sport within the Bundesliga (57.5), however the defender additionally ranks within the high ten for tackles (0.7) and interceptions (0.3) per sport, demonstrating how spectacular he has been in defence.

Not solely is he adept at passing and dictating the play from the center of the defence, however he has spectacular physicality for somebody so younger. Lukeba has received 63% of his whole duels – three per sport – within the German high flight this time period and his means to get the higher of opposition gamers in a single one-on-one battles is superb.

The Leipzig sensation featured for the France U21 facet on 14 events earlier than lastly making his debut towards Scotland final month in a 4-1 victory, approaching with simply three minutes left.

Together with his spectacular performances this time period, nonetheless, he might probably sneak into the Euro 2024 squad subsequent summer season, and this could be the catalyst for him to actually present his value on the large stage.

Lukeba is actually following within the footsteps of Varane and, if given continued publicity on the highest degree, he might ultimately attain his degree.

United want one other centre-back desperately and Lukeba is a captivating prospect. Whereas a transfer within the subsequent few weeks could be out of the query, the Dutchman must be doing all the pieces he can to lure the teen to Manchester sooner fairly than later.