Why Manchester United should take a chance with Thomas Lemar
According to ESPN (h/t Daily Mail), Manchester United are interested in signing Atletico Madrid outcast Thomas Lemar in the summer.
Lemar, 24, came through the ranks of SM Caen youth system and after two seasons with the club’s senior team, he was signed by Monaco in 2015. In 127 appearances for the French giants, he racked up 22 goals and 33 assists. He was one of the key members of the squad under Leonardo Jardim and made a name for himself at the Stade Louis-II and helped Monaco lift the Ligue 1 title three years back.
The Frenchman was signed by Atletico Madrid in the summer of 2018 but has been used only in bit-part roles so far. He has fallen down the pecking order under Diego Simeone and is in need of reviving his career elsewhere.
Meanwhile, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has guided United to success in the past few months, recording an 11-game unbeaten run. He has done a decent job so far and the arrival of Bruno Fernandes has been one of the highlights of United’s season so far.
Winter signings Fernandes and Odion Ighalo have been in terrific form for the Red Devils, with the former claiming the Premier League player of the month award in February, his first month in England. However, the Red Devils boss should prioritize strengthening his squad in the summer if they are to challenge in various competitions in the next campaign.
The manager should, first and foremost, concentrate on the wide areas. Daniel James, Jesse Lingard and Tahith Chong are the only wingers available in the squad. While the Welshman has put in some excellent displays, Lingard and Chong have not been up to the mark as both of them have struggled with form.
Therefore, it is necessary for the English giants to bring in reinforcements for the wide positions and they should take a chance with Atletico Madrid’s Thomas Lemar.
The 24-year-old was the creative hub in Monaco’s title-winning campaign in 2016/17, contributing with 9 goals and 12 assists. He was also instrumental alongside Radamel Falcao and Kylian Mbappe in the team’s run to the semi-finals of the Champions League that season.
Lemar’s impressive performances also earned him a call-up to the French squad that won the World Cup in 2018. He has the ability to play at a higher level and his talents are incredible.
A left-winger by trade, he is capable of operating as an attacking midfielder and also from the other wing. His versatility could be of great help at Old Trafford and he could go on to become a crucial player alongside Fernandes for United.
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Verdict
Though United look settled with the current team under Solskjaer it would be wise to bring in reinforcements to their attacking unit so that they don’t go short of replacements when anyone is injured or needs rest. And Lemar is capable of providing with the quality of he is able to reproduce the same form, he showed for Monaco.
Therefore, United should plot a move for the former Monaco man and give him enough opportunities to get the best out of him.
