Aston Villa Playmaker Remains On Manchester United’s Radar: Can Gerrard Afford To Sanction His Exit? | OneFootball

In a recent report, The Sun revealed that Aston Villa playmaker John McGinn remains on Manchester United’s radar. It has been stated that the Red Devils are eyeing a move for the Villans star as they look to bolster their midfield options next year.

McGinn’s Consistent Season At Villa Park So Far

McGinn has been enjoying a rich vein of form for both club and country during this campaign and has been responsible for putting in a few influential performances in midfield. The Scotland international has found the back of the net on three occasions and provided two assists in 14 matches for the West Midlands side this season across all fronts.

The 27-year-old has proven himself to be a valuable contributor for the Villans at the centre of the park as he is averaging 2.6 tackles, 1.0 interceptions, 0.7 clearances, 1.4 shots, 1.5 key passes and 1.4 dribbles per 90 minutes in the Premier League. He has even taken care of possession really well when distributing the ball from midfield after making 77.7% of his attempted passes in the top tier of English football (stats via whoscored).

BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 01: John McGinn of Aston Villa is challenged by Raheem Sterling of Manchester City during the Premier League match between Aston Villa and Manchester City at Villa Park on December 01, 2021 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Naomi Baker/Getty Images)

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Can Aston Villa Head Coach Steven Gerrard Afford To Sanction McGinn’s Exit?

McGinn has got an excellent work ethic and can anchor the midfield with conviction as he can get stuck in with some solid tackles to secure the ball back for his side. What makes the 42-time Scotland international such a joy to watch is his determination to make a few intelligent runs towards the opposition penalty box. He can strike the ball accurately from long range and is also a decent playmaker in the final third.

Hence, it is no surprise a complete midfielder of McGinn’s skillset is being eyed by Man United. He remains an important member of Steven Gerrard‘s first team and is currently a fan favourite at Villa Park. Losing him to a top club will be a massive blow for the Villans as they will struggle to push for a top-half finish in the Premier League without the Scottish playmaker’s presence in Gerrard’s midfield.

With all things considered, the West Midlands outfit simply cannot afford to sanction McGinn’s exit even if Man United end up launching a big-money offer for him this January or at the end of this campaign as he is an irreplaceable member of Gerrard’s senior squad.