Alassane Plea celebrates after scoring a goal (Image credit: Google)
According to The Express, Manchester United are monitoring Borussia Monchengladbach striker Alassane Plea ahead of the summer transfer window.
Plea, 27, came through the youth ranks of Lyon and after struggling to break into the club’s senior set-up, he moved to Nice. In four years with Nice, he featured in 135 games, scoring a decent 44 goals. Following this, he earned a move to the Bundesliga in the summer of 2018.
Since then, he has been a regular member of Monchengladbach’s starting XI. He played a big role in the club’s fifth-place finish in the league lasts season. He has been part of the team that is fighting for qualification to the Champions League next season.
Meanwhile, Manchester United have made a drastic change in their performances since the turn of the year, which coincided with the arrival of playmaker Bruno Fernandes from Sporting Lisbon. They have gone unbeaten in their last 11 games and have scored 29 goals in that duration.
Fernandes has brought life into United’s attacking unit, which looked dull earlier except for Marcus Rashford. The Englishman had already racked up 14 goals before picking up a long-term injury. However, Anthony Martial has also picked up pace since Rashford’s injury as he has led the line brilliant in the latter stages.
United also signed Odion Ighalo on loan in January and the Nigerian has done his part well. And youngster Mason Greenwood has been one of the finds of the season. He has been brilliant in the fewer opportunities he received.
Thus, with plenty of options available upfront, United making a move for Alassane Plea would make no sense as he may not be the first choice.
Plea has been in sensational form in the last two seasons. After netting 15 goals last term he has continued with the fine form into this campaign. He surely is in good nick but he may not even get a chance at Old Trafford due to the star players already present.
Signing the Frenchman would also be a waste of resources for the Red Devils as he may have to fight for the second or third-choice striker. It would be wise of the former Lyon man to move elsewhere. Solskjaer has already formed a good team with the present squad and making changes to it later would be a risk.
With the presence of Rashford and Martial, United should not make a move for Plea. They have enough options upfront and the return of the Englishman from injury would be a huge boost to the team. Instead, the Red Devils should look to strengthen other areas on the pitch.
