Manchester United are yet to secure their first signing of the summer transfer window despite all the buzz and rumours.
It is a big transfer window for the Red Devils, who will look to close the gap on their Premier League rivals after a dreadful campaign that saw them end sixth in the table. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is determined to oversee the club’s rebuild starting from this summer. He has already made it clear to the Manchester United hierarchy that he wants all the transfer dealings to be completed before the start of July.
The United manager needs at least one midfielder this summer after seeing the likes of Marouane Fellaini and Ander Herrera depart. Fred arrived from Shakhtar Donetsk amidst a lot of fanfare last summer but he has failed to be the catalyst needed to transform the team’s midfield. He is expected to be backed fully by Solskjaer, who also must ensure Paul Pogba stays at the club beyond the summer.
Nemanja Matic looked has looked slow and clumsy in the last seven to eight months, deserted by the perfect positional awareness that once made him one of the best defensive midfielders in Premier League. The Serbian’s legs appear to have gone and he isn’t quick enough to be a part of Solskjaer’s system.
The Red Devils need a quick, dynamic and intelligent defensive midfielder that can dictate play as well as screen the backline with utmost comfort. That being said, United must rekindle their interest in Red Bull Salzburg star, Diadie Samassekou.
Earlier this year, the Reds had sent their scouts to watch Diadie Samassekou in action against Club Brugge. The 23-year-old midfielder enjoyed a solid campaign with Red Bull Salzburg, managing 45 appearances across all the competitions. He also weighed in with two goals and as many assists.
Samassekou signed a new contract with Salzburg last summer and as his stock is very high at the moment, the Austrian club might look to cash him in now. And United would be wise to sign the Malian if the opportunity arises.
A defensive midfielder by trade, the Bamako-born player is a fantastic tackler and ball winner. He is an energetic presence in midfield who relentlessly follows the ball, harries and hassles the opposition whilst closing the gaps quickly.
Samassekou is a good passer of the ball and is an effective link from defence to attack, even though he isn’t known for his creativity and goalscoring ability.
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The Malian international possesses the ability to snuff out danger, while he knows to use the ball extremely well when his team has the possession. He uses his defensive skills to win back possession and move it quickly to the more creative players in his side. That should make Samassekou a perfect fit at United, an upgrade on Matic to help Solskjaer’s system work wonders.
Samassekou is a consistent performer and seems ready for a giant leap to the Premier League. He could finally be a solution to United’s defensive midfield conundrum.