David Ornstein’s dulcet tones so usually ship supporters into rapture, and the Manchester United fanbase have not too long ago been excited by The Athletic’s chief correspondent‘s all-important switch replace: INEOS have submitted a double bid Bayern Munich’s manner.
Certainly, United are pushing to signal centre-back Matthijs De Ligt and large defender Noussair Mazraoui, reinforcing Erik ten Hag‘s backline after already signing dynamic ahead Joshua Zirkzee, who received the 2023/24 Serie A Young Player of the Year, for £36.5m from Bologna.
Leny Yoro has additionally been signed in a staggering move, rising to £59m, from LOSC Lille, an 18-year-old centre-half projected to grow to be one of many world’s greatest, although he has been stricken with a three-month layoff after injuring his ankle within the Purple Devils’ pre-season conflict towards Arsenal on the finish of July.
Outdated Trafford’s rear could be getting all the eye proper now, however few would argue towards the urgent have to strengthen the midfield, and as soon as defensive points have been handled, the switch cannon is ready to shift to the engine room.
Man United switch information
In accordance with journalist Duncan Castles, speaking on his Football Transfers podcast, Man United are poised to maneuver for Burnley midfielder Sander Berge in a shock switch, ought to they fail to signal Paris Saint-Germain’s Manuel Ugarte.
The 26-year-old, who joined Burnley for £12m last summer, impressed all through the concluded marketing campaign however didn’t cease his group from falling again into the Championship, with Castles suggesting he’s a participant who the membership are “discussing as an possibility”.
Whereas followers may initially flip their nostril on the surprising switch information, he may simply come to shock a number of.
Why Sander Berge may succeed at Man United
Berge completed 37 appearances within the Premier League final season and was awarded Burnley’s Participant of the Yr after charging the engine with gusto, guile and a powerful strategy.
Now although, he deservedly seeks a transfer away, hailed as “the main man” by The Athletic’s Andy Jones and charging the fluent model of soccer that Burnley tried to supply within the high flight.
Standing at 6 foot 3, he is rock-solid and commanding, with a pointy technicality and a wealth of expertise in testing situations – now, he is able to step as much as the duty at The Theatre of Goals.
He could be thought-about as the proper various to the tough-tackling Ugarte, however he harbours qualities extra much like that of Actual Sociedad’s Martin Zubimendi, with Catalan outlet El Nacional claiming final week that United had tabled a bid for the Spanish maestro.
How Berge compares to Martin Zubimendi
Berge has proved himself with the likes of Sheffield United and the Clarets and now seems prepared to maneuver to a high outfit, particularly given that he’s set to depart his beleaguered aspect.
As per FBref, Berge ranked among the many high 15% of centre-midfielders within the Premier League final season for go completion and the highest 7% for aerial battles received per 90, talking of his steely presence in the midst of the sector and certainly his ball-playing abilities.
Burnley sought to inculcate a ball-playing sheen to their soccer beneath Vincent Kompany final season, ranking 12th in the division for total passes (16,447) after their promotion.
Having suffered relegation, going out with a whimper, they had been by no means capable of carry out on the stage they desired however Berge showcased his abilities and will effectively show to flourish at a group reminiscent of United, particularly as he suits the pass-efficient template that’s coveted.
Certainly, FBref report Zubimendi as one of many Norwegian’s most comparable gamers, and when evaluating the respective 2023/24 league campaigns, it begins to grow to be discernible that Burnley’s man may very well be a shrewd signing for United.
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23/24 League Stats: Sander Berge vs Martin Zubimendi |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Statistics |
||
|
Matches performed |
37 |
31 |
|
Matches began |
34 |
29 |
|
Targets |
1 |
4 |
|
Assists |
2 |
1 |
|
Move completion |
89% |
86% |
|
Huge probabilities created |
5 |
2 |
|
Touches per recreation |
53.1 |
60.1 |
|
Key passes per recreation |
0.8 |
0.5 |
|
Ball recoveries per recreation |
5.5 |
5.5 |
|
Dribbles per recreation |
0.5 |
0.4 |
|
Tackles per recreation |
2.1 |
1.6 |
|
Duels received per recreation |
4.8 (54%) |
4.0 (55%) |
|
Stats by way of Sofascore |
||
The £48k-per-week expertise has been hailed for his “world-class” high quality by former mortgage teammate Kieran Tierney, however statistical evaluation reveals that United may benefit from choosing the astute street and signing Berge, who has been described as an “unbelieveable” participant by former teammate John Egan.
Particularly provided that the 25-year-old is valued at €60m (£51m), and after Sociedad agreed a deal with Arsenal for the switch of Mikel Merino, it is decidedly unlikely that their metronome within the center shall be allowed to get lost for pastures new too.
Berge’s deep-lying skill, mixing his crisp passing with concrete defending, may even be good for the event of Kobbie Mainoo, who’s the cream of United’s academy crop proper now and can hope to lift his ceiling after a powerful breakthrough marketing campaign.
A gifted and clever participant, Mainoo, 19, exudes a composure and combativeness in Ten Hag’s midfield that can see him develop right into a power to be reckoned with over the following decade, however he wants an anchor he can depend on beside him.
Casemiro was shambolic throughout stretches of the 2023/24 season, with Sky Sports activities’ Jamie Redknapp even commenting that he “looks like he’s in Soccer Aid” throughout one struggling displaying.
Mainoo wants stability, and a accomplice who can enrich Man United’s verve. Berge, who’s determined for a shot at a better stage, may very well be the proper man for the job.
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