Manchester United have reportedly shortlisted Everton midfielder Amadou Onana as a potential alternative to Fiorentina’s Sofyan Amrabat.
Erik ten Hag would like to reunite with Sofyan Amrabat at Old Trafford, having managed him before at FC Utrecht. However, with Juventus also understood to be interested in the 26-year-old, who caught the eye for Morocco at the 2022 Qatar World Cup, Ten Hag appears open to switching his focus to other midfield options.
According to The Daily Mail, Manchester United are weighing up an approach for Everton midfield general Amadou Onana.
Despite being in a difficult relegation scrap last season, Onana, 21, was a standout performer for Everton, offering quality and consistency in the middle of the park throughout his debut year in the Premier League. He made 33 appearances for the Toffees as they beat Bournemouth 1-0 on the final day of the 2022/23 campaign, thus, narrowly avoiding relegation.
The report adds that a move for the Belgium international will depend on Everton’s valuation of the midfielder.
Amadou Onana to Manchester United—Right option?
Following the latest signing of Rasmus Hojlund from Atalanta, Manchester United have made reinforcing the midfield their next objective. Fred has joined Turkish club Fenerbahce, while Donny van de Beek is in talks with Real Sociedad for a loan move.
With Scott McTominay also linked with an exit amid interest from West Ham, it is clear Ten Hag has set his sights on signing another midfielder after Mason Mount’s arrival from Chelsea earlier in the transfer window.
Amadou Onana has emerged as a target for the Man United boss. Onana joined Everton from Lille last summer for £33m and showed flashes of his potential in the Premier League, so losing him after just one season will potentially be a big blow for Sean Dyche and the Toffees.
Strong in the air and tenacious in challenge, as well as composed on the ball, the 21-year-old possesses some qualities that would immediately improve Man United’s midfield options. Due to his energy, work ethic and physicality, Onana would be an instant upgrade on Christian Eriksen. His intimidating stature and power could make him the ideal partner for Casemiro in the middle of the park.
Not only that, the Belgian is also an asset to have in both boxes. Ten Hag’s United could definitely do with a player of his profile in midfield, and as Onana can also operate as a No.6, he could grant Casemiro rest when required during the upcoming season.
With that being said, if the Red Devils could get a deal for Onana over the line this summer there is no doubt he possesses the right attributes to fit the role that Ten Hag is keen to plug, and in doing so, could unlock his true potential by being a vital cog in the midfield at Old Trafford for many years to come.