Manchester United are considering a summer move for Paris Saint-Germain full-back Thomas Meunier, it has been claimed.
According to Independent, the Red Devils are keeping tabs on the Belgian defender as they aim to strengthen their defence come summer.
It has been claimed that Meunier is frustrated with his lack of playing time at PSG, and is reportedly eyeing a move away from Parc des Princes in the summer, which has put United on red alert.
Thomas Meunier: The ideal replacement for Antonio Valencia
Considering how poor Manchester United have been at the back, they need an overhaul at the back in the summer.
While the Red Devils are already keen to sign a new centre-back, the departure of Antonio Valencia means they also need to sign a new right-back, thus making Meunier a viable target.
The Belgian international joined PSG in 2016, but hasn’t quite been able to make himself a regular first-team component for the Ligue 1 giants. And this season has been no exception with the 27-year-old mustering a little under 1,500 minutes of league football so far.
As far as gameplay is concerned, Meunier is generally an attack-minded fullback, who loves to make driving runs into the final third. He is quite adept in rotating possession at a quick-rate while his technical prowess allows him to link up with teammates and create chances for his team.
In fact, he has attained a 84% pass completion rate this season, which is quite impressive for a full-back.
Most importantly, Meunier is a tactically astute defender, who can create passing triangles with the midfielders in the wide areas of the pitch, which is quite effective in the build-up play. This is something United’s current crop of fullbacks lack in their armoury.
Another asset that makes Meunier an appealing target for United is his ability to cross the ball into the box. Although, naturally, the 27-year-old likes to rotate possession using short passes, his tendency to drift out wide and whip in crosses could benefit the likes of Romelu Lukaku and Marcus Rashford.
The lack of defensive commitment, however, could be a cause for concern, especially considering United’s left-sided overload this season. But, what Meunier lacks in defending, he more than makes up for it, with his tactical and technical prowess.
And at the age of 27, it can be assumed that the Belgian is currently at the peak of his game, thus making him a tailor-made fit for Manchester United next season.
