Aston Villa's English midfielder Jack Grealish celebrates after scoring their first goal during the English Premier League football match between West Ham United and Aston Villa at The London Stadium, in east London on November 30, 2020. (Photo by NEIL HALL / POOL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by NEIL HALL/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
According to The Sun, Manchester United remain keen on signing Jack Grealish. The Red Devils have shown interest in the Aston Villa captain since summer and are one of the clubs who are still after him. Manchester City have also been linked with Grealish in the last few months.
The 25-year-old English winger started his youth career at Aston Villa back in 2001. He spent the next decade there, progressing through the youth sides. Finally, during the 2013-14 season, he was promoted to the first-team but was soon sent out on loan to Notts County. He played a total of 39 games for them, scoring 5 goals and assisting 7.
After his loan spell, he returned to Villa Park. Slowly over the seasons, Grealish has established himself as an important part of the team. He stuck with Villa when they were relegated to the Championship and spent three seasons playing there. In 2018-19, he helped Villa secure promotion to the Premier League and he was rewarded with the club captaincy ahead of the 2019-20 season.
He was a vital part of Villa’s return to the Premier League as he fought tooth and nail to make sure Aston Villa remained in the top-flight. His stats for Villa read as 196 games, 31 goals and 37 assists. His stellar season meant that he was called up to the national team and made his debut against Denmark in the UEFA Nations League.
It’s not hard to figure out what’s wrong with Manchester United. They are a team who rely on the individual brilliance of two, maybe three players to get them a win. Every game is an example of this. Against Southampton it was Edinson Cavani, against West Ham it was Bruno Fernandes and Rashford. In their absence, United looked a hollow shell of themselves.
The question is how long before someone like Fernandes eventually burns out due to the sheer number of games he is playing without rest. United need more leaders on the pitch and are rightly veering towards Grealish.
The Villa captain has been talismanic for his side over the last few seasons and last season, he showed his credentials by single-handedly keeping his side in the league. Such characters are in demand at Old Trafford.
Grealish fits the sort of signing United have pursued in recent times. In order to get him, Manchester United will need to break their bank and shell out an eye-watering £100million. However, this is one player that looks worth the money.