Man United Enter The Race For Ligue 1 Midfield Ace: Smart Option For Ole

Manchester United could make a move for Lyon midfielder Houssem Aouar in this transfer window. The 23-year-old midfielder has been one of the key players for the French side in the last few seasons.

As per ESPN, several Premier League clubs, including Manchester United, are interested in signing Aouar. The likes of Liverpool, Arsenal, and Tottenham Hotspur are also in the running to sign the Frenchman. The report claims that Aouar could be available for a fee of around €25 million. Manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer sees Aouar as a replacement for Paul Pogba, who is attracting interest from Paris Saint-Germain, according to the report.

Aouar has two years remaining on his current deal at Lyon. The midfielder has made 170 appearances for the club in all competitions, while also playing once for the French national team.

Houssem Aouar: A good option for Solskjaer?

Houssem Aouar is a technically gifted midfielder who can create chances from the middle of the park. The Frenchman is a good dribbler of the ball, confident of taking midfielders on, while also being strong with either feet. He averaged 1.5 dribbles per game last season in Ligue 1, while taking 2.3 shots on goal per game.

Aouar is capable of playing as a central midfielder or further forward as an attacking midfielder, and is comfortable in either position. He likes to link up with midfielders and attackers with his short and quick passing, and move the ball to the final third.

Aouar could be a decent option for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who needs an attack-minded midfielder in the central areas. The Red Devils have struggled in central areas as the two midfielders that Solskjaer used a lot last season – Scott McTominay and Fred, weren’t comfortable on the ball and weren’t a threat in attack as well.

This required the likes of Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford to drop in deep and try to make things happen for United. The addition of a player like Houssem Aouar could allow the forwards to play further up the pitch and would give Solskjaer the confidence to play a much more attacking team. United lack a midfielder who can dictate the tempo of the game from deep in their own half and speed up the passage of play in a meaningful manner from defensive areas.

Aouar could help United become a better passing unit from the back, while also help play higher up the pitch. With huge question marks over Paul Pogba’s future, Manchester United must make it a priority to sign an attack-minded midfielder and Aouar fits the bill.