Melvin Bard, a defender for Nice, is rumoured to be joining Manchester United, so the club may be able to acquire talent from one of its other teams in what is expected to be another pivotal transfer window for Manchester United, which will determine their continued status as one of the top teams in the Premier League.

For the sixth time in 10 seasons in the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era, United is expected to finish outside the Champions League. Despite spending enormous sums of money on players in recent seasons, few of their acquisitions have paid off on the pitch. While Lisandro Martinez has been sidelined this season despite making an impression on the pitch when he does play, other players such as Antony, Raphael Varane, Casemiro, and others have performed below expectations. Rasmus Hojlund and Andre Onana have also struggled this season.

United has failed to replicate their rather successful third-place Premier League result from the previous season, and because a Champions League berth is becoming less and less possible, they may struggle to draw in players to Old Trafford. But, it signifies a new era in the red half of Manchester, with Ratcliffe working behind the scenes and a new director of football on the horizon. Bard may join the team this summer, possibly even as the first siging of the INEOS era.

Nice’s Melvin Bard in the French Cup final
Manchester United is aiming for Melvin Bard.
At Old Trafford, the necessity for a left-back has moved up the priority list.
The Standard claims that Bard’s possible recruitment by United to bolster their defence has been discussed with Nice, one of Ratcliffe’s three clubs. After winning accolades in Ligue 1 this season, the 23-year-old left-back is already being considered as a target to expand the alternatives in the squad. If his strong play continues, he may even be called up to the France national team before Euro 2024.

Bard’s contract on the French Riviera expires in two years, and while negotiations for a new contract are anticipated, a transfer to Old Trafford would be advantageous to both teams. According to the article, United’s original goal was to improve the quality down that side of the pitch by acquiring a right-back. However, due to injury concerns raised by Tyrell Malacia and Luke Shaw, the team changed their approach, and Bard is now the objective.

With Jason Wilcox expected to arrive as the new Director of Football from Southampton, Ratcliffe has already moved quickly with his plans for the summer. Bard may be the first of many people to enter the building. In addition, Michael Olise has reportedly been selected by United as a forward to challenge Hojlund in leading their attack. Another young center-back is also reportedly being considered, with Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite and fellow Nice player Jean-Clair Todibo being two possible choices.

Analysis by Melvin Bard While Manchester United Considers a Change
As he hasn’t earned a cap for the French national team, Bard is relatively unknown to English fans. However, Total Football Analysis has previously called him “pretty explosive” when it comes to his runs. Bard appears to be one of France’s rising stars in defence.

GIVEMESPORT Key Statistic: Bard has played for France’s junior teams eighteen times, but he hasn’t yet established himself in Didier Deschamps’ starting lineup for the senior squad.

After progressing through the ranks at Lyon, he played in 15 first-team games for the squad at Groupama Stadium before leaving for Nice in 2021. Over the last three seasons, Bard has established himself as a mainstay in Nice’s starting lineup. This season, he has excelled, leading Nice to not allow a goal to be conceded in two months, from October to November. As a result, suggestions have been made to include Bard in the summer squad for France.

There is a growing belief that United should look to acquire a left-back in order to prevent playing players out of position, and Bard may be at the top of their list given that Malacia has not played at all this season and Shaw has been in and out of the club due to muscular ailments.