Man United should eye a summer swoop for PSG star Marco Verratti

According to the Metro, former Manchester United striker Dimitar Berbatov has urged the Red Devils to make a move for PSG star Marco Verratti next summer.

Verratti produced a midfield masterclass alongside Marquinhos at Old Trafford to help the Ligue 1 leaders to a 2-0 victory over Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s Man United in the Champions League.

Impressed by the Italian’s dominant display in the middle of the park, Berbatov feels that the 26-year-old would be the perfect man to partner Nemanja Matic at the base of United’s midfield. (h/t Metro)

United didn’t dip into the transfer market in January for any marquee signings but the Red Devils are likely to strengthen their forces next summer irrespective of Solskjaer’s future at the club. Although there haven’t been reports regarding an official approach for Verratti, Man United should make the Italian a top priority in the summer.

It would be fair to say that Verratti was one of the architects of PSG’s comprehensive victory United at Old Trafford. Despite the French champions lacking the services of key players like Neymar, Thomas Meunier and Edinson Cavani, Verratti’s well-rounded display in the midfield made Tuchel’s side look a class above their opponents.

Verratti not only contributed a lot to the build-up play up front but he also broke up the play and retained possession very well, not allowing United to play themselves into the game. As calm and composed as he is on the ball, the Italian international dictated the tempo of the game with his flawless passing, distribution and vision to take the opposition out of the game.

The 26-year-old has been in fine form for PSG this term, averaging 69.5 passes per game with an accuracy percentage of 89.8, including 2.4 long balls and 1 key pass per game. Furthermore, he averages 2.5 tackles and 0.5 interceptions per game, figures which show that he is equally adept at winning back possession for his team.

To put things into perspective, he would be a fantastic addition to Man United’s squad in the summer. As mentioned by Berbatov, Verratti would be an ideal partner for Nemanja Matic at the heart of the midfield.

United made the headlines in the summer transfer market with the big-money signing of Brazilian midfielder Fred in a bid to bolster their midfield. However, Fred hasn’t been able to live up to his billing at Old Trafford. Following a slow start to life under Jose Mourinho, he hasn’t had much joy under Solskjaer either. In all honesty, the Brazilian has found it difficult to cope with the dynamic nature of the PremierLeague.

Ander Herrera has been used quite frequently by Solskjaer but the Spaniard is out of contract next summer and he is yet to put pen to paper on a new deal. Should he head for the exit door at the end of the season, it would largely limit United’s options in the midfield.

Matic has been a regular face for the Red Devils this term but the Serb hasn’t really had too much of an impact, with the media often slamming him for being too statuesque and sluggish to cope with fast and agile opposition. However, United can definitely bring the best out of the former Chelsea man by teaming him up with Verratti next season.

Verratti is a technically gifted midfielder who knows how to control the game by retaining the ball, often starving the opposition of the ball and putting them to sleep. Matic, on the other hand, is an all-action defensive midfielder who excels with his ability to break up the play with tackles and interceptions. Both are quite different in the way that they approach the game but the duo can form a deadly combination at the base of the midfield.

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The Italian is regarded as one of the best central midfielders in Europe and United certainly need a marquee signing like him to add quality to their squad. He certainly won’t come cheap but that shouldn’t put United off and that said, they should go all out to land him next summer.