The Peoples Person
·13 August 2022
The Peoples Person
·13 August 2022
Manchester United look set to finally prioritise a right back this window, with Josip Juranovic a likely target. That is according to Jonathan Shrager, who earlier tweeted:
“Josip Juranovic features quite prominently on the shortlist of potential right backs who Manchester United may pursue in the event that Aaron Wan-Bissaka goes on loan this month.
“Max Aarons and Kyle Walker-Peters are amongst some other players believed to be included on that list.”
If the signing of Aaron Wan-Bissaka taught United fans anything it’s that having a big shortlist of players is no guarantee for success. But it would be comforting to know that a player of Juranovic’s profile features highly in United’s considerations.
The Celtic man has only been in Glasgow for a year having made a £2.5m move from Legia Warsaw last summer.
But he has taken to the Scottish Premier League like a duck to water, even featuring in the SPL Team of the Year as Celtic did a league and cup double.
Juranovic was a solid defender last term, contributing with 7.6 ball recoveries per 90 minutes in the league. He is also a deadly crosser of the ball with a 32.32% Crossing accuracy extremely high, especially among fullbacks.
For reference, Trent Alexander-Arnold managed 30.04% for Liverpool last season.
With Erik ten Hag dead-set on getting a physically imposing centre forward, having a crossing aficionado available at right back makes sense.
Juranovic could be a huge boon to Cristiano Ronaldo should he stay and potentially for a player like Sasa Kalajdzic should he join.
The Croatian is also comfortable in settled possession, attempting 70.6 passes per game with an accuracy of 86.39% – again bettering Alexander-Arnold’s 68 and 78.14% respectively.
While Juranovic has achieved these numbers in Scotland and would likely take a period of adaptation, his contributions have also drawn interest from the likes of Chelsea and Atletico Madrid.
With a touted price of £15m, United will need to act fast to secure his signature.
(All stats as per Squawka Comparison Matrix)
United Matchday Magazine – the online football programme Panic stations already. A statement of intent needed. How will Ten Hag respond? The season must truly start on Saturday. Get your Brentford matchday mag now!