Manchester United are finally calming the waters around Old Trafford, stopping the boat from rocking and setting sights on glory once again.
With Erik ten Hag assuming the managerial position this summer, a new blueprint for success has been displayed, and the Dutchman’s philosophy is one that looks towards silverware once again, with the club last tasting triumph in 2017, after defeating AFC Ajax 2-0 – incidentally with Ten Hag at the helm – in the Europa Leaguefinal.
New signings are a must, with a successful summer transfer window now needing bolstering to further the recent development, and Borussia Monchengladbach’s Marcus Thuram one player that could don the famous red shirt in the near future.
With Sport BILD recently confirming Man United’s interest, a move could yet materialise in January, with the winter transfer window indeed merely a number of days aways.
Thuram has been in scintillating form for Gladbach this term, earning a call-up to France’s World Cup squad and providing an exquisite assist for Kylian Mbappe in the final, and with his contract set for expiry at the end of the campaign, the Red Devils boss might swoop in and bring him to Old Trafford on a cut-price deal next month.
Thuram is basking in a triumphant season on a personal level, scoring 13 goals and registering four assists from 17 appearances, flourishing in his centre-forward role having plyed his trade as a winger for much of his career.
The 25-year-old is currently being considered for sale by his German club for a paltry £8.7m, according to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano, who may be inclined to recuperate the fee they paid Guingamp – between €9m-€10m (£7.9-£8.7m) – in 2019, before his likely departure next summer.
As per Sofascore, Thuram has recorded a commendable average Bundesliga rating of 7.19 this term, averaging 3.7 shots per match, creating three big chances and completing 61% of his dribbles from his talismanic place in his outfit.
Should he sign for United, he could emulate the success of legendary Premier League striker Dwight Yorke, who, like Thuram, began his career predominantly occupying the wide flanks and slowly nurturing his clinical edge as an out-and-out striker.
Signing for Old Trafford for £12m from Aston Villa in 1998, Yorke went on to score 66 goals and plunder 31 assists from 152 outings, notably winning three Premier League trophies and the 98/99 Champions League.
Yorke became a devastating and dynamic forward, and the “beast” – as dubbed by producer Atul Kasbekar – Thuram would do well to emulate his success.
As per FBref, Thuram ranks within the top 6% for rate of non-penalty goals and dribbles completed, and should he bring his versatile aura to the squad, he could lead them to silverware once again, having an impact, not unlike that of Yorke.
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