Manchester United are reportedly keen on Borussia Dortmund’s Julian Weigl.
According to the Daily Mail, Manchester United are turning their attention towards Borussia Dortmund midfielder Julian Weigl after being frustrated in their move for Nemanja Matic.
The Red Devils have snapped up Swedish international defender Victor Lindelof already this summer having paid a huge fee to Benfica for the centre back, but Jose Mourinho needs further additions.
Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho
With Michael Carrick edging towards the end of his career, United need a natural holding midfield player who can protect the back four and allow Ander Herrera and Paul Pogba to get up and down the pitch.
The Daily Mail note that Chelsea won’t let Nemanja Matic join the Red Devils until they sign Monaco’s Tiemoue Bakayoko – and that has forced United to look at Borussia Dortmund’s Julian Weigl as a potential alternative.
Weigl, 21, joined Dortmund from 1860 Munich in 2015, and he has already racked up nearly 100 appearances for Dortmund, whilst also earning five caps for the German national team.
A holding midfielder known more for his technique and his superb passing range rather than breaking up play – much like Carrick has been throughout his career – Weigl appears to have a huge future ahead of him, but United could run into a big problem.
Borrusia Dortmund’s Julian Weigl in action with Benfica’s Andre Carrillo
Weigl suffered a broken ankle in May, and won’t be available until September, meaning that United could be without him for the first month of the season if they did land him, meaning a January or summer move may be better for the Red Devils.
United allegedly remain confident of signing top target Matic, but the delay in sealing the Serbian’s signature has forced them to look at Weigl, whose injury means he may be more of a long-term option for Mourinho and co.
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