Transfer News:
Manchester United are expected to make a couple of more signings this summer and that means a host of names are bound to be linked with the club. With less than a month remaining for the transfer window to shut down, one of the latest reports states that Marco Verratti might be close to a move to United.
Verratti has been a vital figure at the centre of the park for PSG, as his assured passing presence coupled with the knack of controlling the tempo of the game have been of immense importance for the Paris-based club.
Last season, the Italian was extensively courted by Barcelona but a move to Spain did not transpire. United are in the transfer market for a couple of players at least and hence the rumours of Verratti moving to Manchester might hold some relevance as such.
Marco Verratti: Player Profile
The 25-year-old is an excellent reader of the game, intercepts the ball to break attacks and controls the tempo of the game with his varied, widespread passing range.
He is also astute in carrying the ball forward, someone who can dribble his way out from deeper positions in order to drive the team ahead. His ability on the ball ensures that teammates can pass it to him in difficult situations and he seldom wastes such opportunities, often distributing it to the wings and is regularly involved in the transitional play. In the Ligue 1 last season, he put in 2.3 tackles and intercepted the ball on 1.2 occasions per game.
Verratti was defensively aware and broke the play with some astute tackling and defending, something that he has developed over the course of the last two years. He delivered 1.3 key passes and completed 1.9 dribbles throughout the course of the ninety minutes over the course of the season.
Verratti delivered around 92.7 passes on an average and his passing accuracy was 91.2%.
Should Manchester United make a move?
United addressed their midfield issues by signing Fred. The Brazilian would most definitely start on the right side of a midfield three and this means that Paul Pogba and Nemanja Matic will obviously take up the other two positions.
It is absurd to believe that Verratti would move out from PSG to take up a squad role. Even Marouane Fellaini extended his stay at United and this means that the club should rather address the centre-back, left-back and right-wing positions instead of looking for new midfielders.
Stats Courtesy: Whoscored