Manchester United’s search for midfield reinforcements has led them to Club Brugge’s Ardon Jashari, who could cost around £34 million this summer.
With Ruben Amorim looking to add more physicality to his squad this summer, Jashari’s profile as a deep-lying midfielder has drawn interest from the United manager. Standing at 5 ft 9 though and without a strong defensive presence, he doesn’t exactly fit the bill of a more robust midfielder.
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Ardon Jashari’s strengths and weaknesses
Jashari has become a key figure for Brugge and was handed plenty of responsibility last season, racking up 52 appearances across all competitions, including 11 in the Champions League.
He currently plays in a double pivot, a role that would translate smoothly to Amorim’s preferred 3-4-3 formation at Old Trafford.
Statistically, Jashari’s game leans heavily toward ball progression and creativity rather than defensive solidity. He ranks in the 95th percentile among midfielders for expected assists, while also featuring in the 90th percentile for passes attempted and the 88th for progressive passing.
However, his defensive output is far less impressive. He averages just 1.29 tackles per 90 – a figure that places him in the bottom nine percent of midfielders. He also scores poorly in blocks and aerial duels, with a win rate of just 38 percent in the air.
If Amorim prioritises bringing more physicality into his side this summer, then Jashari might not be the best choice for United.
But one positive comparison is that Jashari has a similar style of play to Ballon d’Or contender Vitinha, who starred in PSG’s Champions League triumph last year.
How Ardon Jashari would fit into Ruben Amorim’s XI
Despite the doubts about his defensive abilities, United’s growing interest in Jashari has been consistent. Amorim reportedly prefers his ball-playing qualities over the alternatives available in the current squad and views him as another key piece to the summer rebuild, which has already seen the club invest heavily in Bryan Mbeumo.
While his defensive output raises questions, Jashari could well become a valuable addition under Amorim, whose system might help mask some of the midfielder’s weaknesses – especially if paired with a more defensively-minded partner like Manuel Ugarte. It remains to be seen, though, if United will pay Brugge’s asking price for a player whose profile is still developing.
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