MADRID, SPAIN - NOVEMBER 25: Kieran Trippier of Club Atletico de Madrid runs to take a corner kick during the UEFA Champions League Group A stage match between Atletico Madrid and Lokomotiv Moskva at Estadio Wanda Metropolitano on November 25, 2020 in Madrid, Spain. Football Stadiums around Europe remain empty due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in fixtures being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)
According to The Telegraph (h/t Daily Star), Kieran Trippier is being eyed up by Manchester United to bolster their defence. The Atletico Madrid man’s contract ends in 2022 but suitors have already lined up for him, Manchester United being right ahead. The Red Devils are basically seeking a right-back to provide competition and cover for Aaron Wan-Bissaka.
Born in England, Trippier started his career with Blackburn Rovers before rising through the youth ranks of Manchester City. However, he couldn’t break into the club’s senior set-up and spent time on loan with Barnsley and Burnley before switching to Turf Moor on a permanent basis in the summer of 2012.
He immediately became a key figure of the squad and helped them get promoted to the Premier League and after making 185 appearances for the Clarets, he joined Tottenham in the summer of 2015.
He was one of the key players under Mauricio Pochettino in North London as they reached the finals of the Champions League in the 2018/19 season. In 114 appearances for Spurs, he scored twice and assisted 24.
The Englishman moved to Spain last summer and despite being troubled by injuries last season, he went on to make 33 appearances and helped Atletico finish third in the league standings. He was also a regular starter for England in the 2018 World Cup.
For all the hullabaloo surrounding Manchester United’s central defenders, there has been little fuss around United’s first-choice right-back. Since his arrival from Crystal Palace in 2019, Aaron Wan-Bissaka has been enormous for the club. There is perhaps no better full-back who can tackle and deal with 1-v-1 situations better than him.
There does, however, remain a downside to him. His attacking contribution leaves the team a bit unbalanced in shape. He isn’t like the modern full-backs who like to maraud up the flanks, putting in crosses. That leaves a lot of work for someone like Greenwood to do.
Another reason United are looking at bringing in another right-back is that the club lack quality options in that area. Diogo Dalot was loaned out while Timothy Fosu-Mensah is yet to show promise. Manchester United are rightly targeting someone like Trippier to solve this problem.
The 30-year-old has been consistent in the last few years and has gone from strength to strength. He has been excellent at both ends of the pitch. Apart from defending, he is also capable of delivering in terms of attack.
He is a reliable customer and could also prove to be a difference in United’s backline. Trippier, who has been at the top of his game in the last few years, could provide them with some much-needed quality. Thus, signing the Englishman would be a wise decision by the club.
