Leaky defense and lackluster midfield plagued Manchester United last season as they finished a dismal sixth in the Premier League.
That required a major overhaul and successful Ajax manager Erik ten Hag was entrusted with the unenviable task of restoring United’s former glory.
The Dutchman quickly got down to business and one of his first decisions was to sign a pair of defenders and midfielders each as he looked to build a solid backbone.
A lot of money was spent on improving the midfield, as multiple Champions League winner Casemiro was signed from Real Madrid, while free agent Christian Eriksen addressed the team’s lack of creativity in midfield.
midfield search
However, with both players currently in their 30s and Fred’s future up in the air, more midfield additions will be required and the Dutchman is trying to find the ideal target.
High-profile names like Frenkie de Jong, Jude Bellingham and Moises Caicedo have been making the rounds since the summer.
The last name added to the list is Real Sociedad midfielder MartÃn Zubimendi, a player the Dutch coach fell in love with after his team’s two duels with the Spanish team in the group stage of the Europa League.
*Zubimendi transfer rumors* ???????????? Manchester United are exploring the possibility of activating Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi’s £51.5m release clause, as Sport Witness said. But #ManUnited has yet to contact his club. #ManUtd #MUFC #ManchesterUnited pic.twitter.com/Vo3lP2BwVW
– MUMU Football (@MUMUfootball) December 4, 2022
As previously reported by The Peoples Person, Barcelona are also in the running for the 23-year-old with Xavi keen to add quality in midfield.
According to Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo, there is a sense of uneasy calm at the club around Zubimendi’s future.
concerned royal society
La Real is aware that, in the event that United opt for the midfielder, the signing would be the most natural.
But they feel that the player’s release clause, which is 60 million euros, is enough to stop progress for now. The club feels United are the only candidate as Barcelona continue to struggle with financial difficulties.
The president of the club, Jokin Aperribay, maintains that MartÃn “has had many opportunities to leave, but he wants to stay at Real and is a fundamental pillar.”
Roberto Olabe, the club’s DoF revealed that they felt “happy and calm” about the current situation and also felt that the termination clause was a “deterrent”.
He added that with the signing of the contract extension that binds him to the club until 2027, Zubimendi had “expressed” his desire to stay at the club.
