With Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s arrival, Manchester United is filled with confidence.

Given that they currently occupy the seventh spot in the Premier League standings, the Red Devils are in dire need of a fresh start.

Erik ten Hag is eager to bolster his team as a result, and a new midfielder may be on the horizon.

Man United wants a midfielder
In an interview with GIVEMESPORT, transfer insider Dean Jones stated that Man Utd is considering signing Martin Zubimendi.

“The centre of their midfield will change,” Jones said in an interview with the publication. They already have a few names. To be honest, they’re still looking at four or five candidates for the middle. They have some interest in guys like Zubimendi, so I believe they’ll also participate in discussions about them. As the season goes on, I believe they could even do it better.

And of course there was the attack. They are undoubtedly searching for a player to join them, most likely a wide player with significant talent.”

Zibumendi, Martin, Reality, Society
The Red Devils are allegedly prepared to activate the £53 million release clause in the contract of Real Sociedad star.

A summer transfer is somewhat more plausible, though, given the midfielder’s cost and United’s financial fair play circumstances.

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Zubimendi’s potential position on the United team
After suffering an injury at the beginning of November, Casemiro has hardly played for Manchester United this season. He was only able to return to the matchday squad last weekend against Spurs.

The Daily Star reports that the Brazilian may not be playing in the Premier League much longer as the English powerhouse plans to let him go in the summer. The Brazilian has played 12 games this season across all competitions.

Manchester United Premier League casemiro
Ten Hag may thus try to get as much money as possible from the 31-year-old in order to finance the possible signing of Zubimendi.

Since making his debut for Sociedad’s first team in 2020, the 24-year-old has developed into a vital member of the squad. This season, he has participated in every Champions League game and all but one La Liga encounter. Nevertheless, Zubimendi’s La Liga numbers for this season are included in the table below.

Zubimendi’s La Liga 2023–2024 Stats

Statistics (per 90)

Zubimendi

Spain’s ranking

Objectives without penalties

0.21

Top 11%

Passes obtained (middle)

19.35

Top 15%

% of passes completed (medium)

89.2%

upper 22%

enters the final third

4.61

upper 33%

Interceptions

1.22

upper 26%

Verifications

1.80

Top 20%

Statistics through FBref

It is clear that Zubimendi is a very skilled player with versatility, which is why scout Antonio Mango called him a “special talent.” Together with Rodri, the number four is one of the world’s finest defensive midfield players, according to Spain’s head coach Jose Luis De La Fuente, who previously said, “They are the best midfielders in their position, in my opinion. and they get along just great.

The Spain international takes charge of the ball to control the game, as seen by his medium passes and passes into the final third of the score. He also works as a deep-lying playmaker and frequently serves as the link between defence and offence. In addition, Zubimendi helps out when the ball is not in his hands by reading the play to recover it and spot danger.

Even if the aforementioned sounds a lot like Rodri, the Spaniard can also have an impact on the game in the closing stages, as seen by his non-penalty goals per ninety minutes. The midfielder for Man City has also demonstrated his ability to accomplish this, as evidenced by his four Premier League goals this season.

Zubimendi, Rodri, Manchester City, Liverpool, Kim Mich, would be a wise addition to United. Given the parallels between the two Spanish players, the prospect of signing their own Rodri must be tantalising to Red Devils supporters. Moreover, the Sociedad maestro may be the ideal successor for the departing Real Madrid player, with Casemiro set to leave.