Benjamin Pavard has re-emerged as a possible solution to Manchester United’s problems at right back.
The Frenchman has suggested that he is ready for a new chapter in his career during an interview with L’Equipe.
United were linked with Pavard during the summer transfer window, with some suggestions that a rapprochement was made early in the window.
However, the fullback denied that any official proposals were made, saying:
“No, there were no specific discussions. At the moment I am focused on the World Cup, on being the best I can be in a very big club, one of the best in the world.
“I have immense respect for Bayern, there I learned the demand for a very high level and it is an honor to wear this shirt”.
But Pavard is open to a new challenge and cites Bayern Munich’s outright successes as a factor in his desire to find new pastures.
“I have been in Germany for seven years. I have won everything with the club. I’m not against discovering a new project. Maybe now is the time. Why not discover a new country, a new culture? But the sports project must be interesting”.
That’s good news for Man United, whose sporting project under Erik ten Hag has already won over the likes of five-time Champions League winner Casemiro.
With the Red Devils able to offer a competitive salary, they are perhaps one of the few clubs in Europe capable of competing for a player with the profile of Benjamin Pavard.
But the France star stresses the importance of finding a club with big ambitions, and when asked what he would be looking for, he said he would be intrigued by “taking on new challenges, discovering another football, a new culture.
“But I put the sporting theme above everything else.
“I may have been around here, but I’m at a very big club, so I’m not leaving for anything. I’m not making a fictional scenario; We will see what the options are and we will discuss it with Bayern.”
With the door open for a move, United will surely be on high alert.
Diogo Dalot has performed well under Erik ten Hag, but remains the only suitable right-back in the United squad.
The unwelcome Aaron Wan-Bissaka is expected to leave the club in the near future and the manager has already suggested his side need another right-back to handle Man United’s demanding match schedule.
As a perennial winner and top-class player, Pavard could represent a good option for the club, particularly given that his contract only has eighteen months remaining in January.