NUREMBERG, GERMANY - SEPTEMBER 12: Dayot Upamecano of Leipzig runs with the ball during the DFB Cup first round match between 1. FC Nürnberg and RB Leipzig at Max-Morlock-Stadion on September 12, 2020 in Nuremberg, Germany. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)
According to The Times (h/t Daily Mail), Man United have once again been linked with RB Leipzig defender Dayot Upamecano, with manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer looking to bolster his defence.
As per the report, the Red Devils are planning to activate the £38million release clause in the 22-year-old’s contract next summer. Upamecano signed a new deal earlier in the year with a relatively low buyout clause, which will be active at the end of the 2020-21 campaign.
Man United achieved an impressive defensive record of just 36 goals conceded en route to their 3rd-place finish in the Premier League last season. That was after the Red Devils had splashed the cash to bolster their backline in 2019, acquiring the services of Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Harry Maguire.
However, United’s defensive problems have once again come back to haunt them early in the 2020-21 season. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side have only managed a solitary clean sheet in 6 league outings this so far this term, conceding as many as 13 goals in the process.
The Red Devils saw their defence shred to pieces in the 6-1 hiding at home against Tottenham a couple of weeks ago, evoking widespread criticism from fans and pundits alike.
Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw, and Victor Lindelof have all struggled for consistency since the start of the campaign. And Phil Jones has been omitted from the club’s 25-man PL squad. Axel Tuanzebe recently delivered a quality display against PSG in the Champions League but the academy graduate is yet to firmly establish himself as a regular fixture at Old Trafford.
United have six central defenders in their ranks but it’s definitely not about numbers in the squad. It’s more about quality and the Red Devils need to look for some upgrades on the likes of Eric Bailly and Lindelof at the heart of the defence. Dayot Upamecano, to that end, perfectly fits the bill as a top-quality young defender with enormous potential.
Dayot Upamecano is already among the best young centre-backs in Europe and has shown significant improvement in recent years, proving his worth not only in the Bundesliga but also in the Champions League. His rise to a full international for France clearly lies testament to his impressive progress.
The 22-year-old still has plenty of time on his side to make significant improvements to his game, meaning that he could potentially be a key player for United in the years to come. All in all, Upamecano would be a massive bargain for Man United if he is, indeed, available at the touted price of £38million.