Manchester United line up move for RB Leipzig’s Nordi Mukiele | OneFootball

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Football FanCast

·4 December 2021

Manchester United line up move for RB Leipzig’s Nordi Mukiele

Article image:Manchester United line up move for RB Leipzig’s Nordi Mukiele

Manchester United could form a formidable duo after being linked with a move for RB Leipzig defender Nordi Mukiele ahead of the upcoming January transfer window.

The Red Devils have struggled defensively in the opening weeks of the current campaign, conceding 24 goals in their opening 14 Premier League fixtures.


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Heavy defeats against the likes of Liverpool and Watford ultimately led to the dismissal of former manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, and his replacement Ralf Rangnick addressed the issue in his first press conference.

“The major target for me is to bring more balance into the team,” said the 63-year-old on Friday. “Even yesterday we conceded two and needed three to win. We concede on average two a game and this is too much.

“I want to bring more balance and more control. Yesterday’s game, for me as the future coach, they are not the games you need. I will try and bring these outstanding, talented players away from their own goal.”

As a result, Rangnick may want to bring in some defensive reinforcements over the coming months, and RB Leipzig’s Nordi Mukiele has been identified as a potential target.

Rangnick previously signed the versatile defender for the Red Bulls back in 2018 and lauded the youngster’s talents.

“Extremely excited to be able to bring in one of Europe’s top defensive talents – despite a lot of competition,” he said, before adding that Mukiele “fits exactly what we’re looking for in a player and in a person.”

According to 90min, the highly-rated 24-year-old could be reunited with the German at Old Trafford as the new man in charge looks to immediately firm up his backline.

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Article image:Manchester United line up move for RB Leipzig’s Nordi Mukiele

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90min understands that Rangnick has identified the player as a target who could not only come in and improve the team straight away but also over the course of the next few years,” reads Graeme Bailey’s report.

With Rangnick renowned for prioritising a high-pressing game revolving around quick, vertical passes and winning the ball back high up the pitch, it’s clear that Mukiele is a perfect fit for his philosophy.

As per FBref.com, the £40,000-per-week gem has produced 5.85 progressive passes, 14.5 pressures and 2.44 tackles per 90 minutes this season, bettering Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s tallies in each metric.

Would Mukiele be a good signing?

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No way!

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The current first-choice right-back at United has racked up meagre totals of 2.38, 10.8 and 2.08 respectively, highlighting his inefficiencies for Rangnick’s gegenpressing setup.

If United’s football director John Murtough can lure Mukiele to the Theatre of Dreams over the winter window, it will allow the France international the opportunity to strike up a frightening partnership with compatriot Raphael Varane.

Since arriving at Old Trafford over the summer, the right-sided centre-back has established himself as a key player in defence, achieving a WhoScored rating of 6.90.

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