Why Manchester United must sign Konrad Laimer with a long-term vision

According to The Sun, Manchester United could be ready to make a move for Konrad Laimer in the summer. The Red Devils are also taking steps to scout the midfielder when they go to face RB Leipzig in the Champions League. He is seen as a possible replacement for Paul Pogba who has caused some speculation around his future with some statements regarding his time at the club.

Profile

Konrad Laimer is a 23-year-old Austrian midfielder who plays for Bundesliga side RB Leipzig. He started his youth career at USC Abersee in 2002 but moved to RedBull Salzburg’s youth academy in 2007.

Spending the next four years in the youth teams, he was promoted to the U-15 side. Successive promotions followed every year and when he reached the U-18s, he was allowed to leave for FC Liefering in 2014. In the short spell he had there, he made 19 appearances and provided 4 assists.

Laimer returned to Salzburg and continued to play for them, and is now a part of the senior side. In two and a half seasons, he has made 77 appearances for the Austrian side. Like most transfers, RB Leipzig signed him from their sister club. Since then, he has become an important part of the team and has made 114 appearances, scoring 6 goals and assisting 12. The midfielder is also a part of the Austrian team with 7 caps and one goal to date.

Manchester United can sign Laimer to replace Pogba

It seems Paul Pogba keeps putting Manchester United in a spot with his statements. His latest tirade stated how this has been his most difficult year at the club and playing for France feels like a breath of fresh air. Last month on international duty, he dropped another bombshell that it was his dream to play for Real Madrid one day.

With such jabs at the club, Manchester United should start preparing for life without the Frenchman. He is anyway playing a reduced role these days and the club should start looking at replacements. Signing Konrad Laimer would go a long way in filling that void.

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A combative midfielder, his best work is in the defensive half but do not underestimate his impact in the attacking areas. While Solskjaer already has midfielders like him in the squad, Laimer offers a much more expansive and younger option. Manchester should try to lay the groundwork for a future transfer.