Manchester United have been linked with a move for Leicester City midfielder Wilfred Ndidi as manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer looks to add further reinforcements to his first-team squad.
What’s the story?
According to Spanish outlet Fichajes, the Red Devils are keen to secure the services of the highly-rated 24-year-old over the coming months after identifying him as a top transfer target.
The report states that: “The Leicester City midfielder is the clear target to reinforce the pivot position of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s team. One that has given him headaches for several seasons now.
“Solskjaer’s men have always been interested in the pivot, but few contacts have been made so far. The situation so far in the team in that area is critical, and if it continues like this they will not think for a second whether to make this signing.”
Solskjaer needs him
Ndidi has established himself as one of the Premier League’s top defensive midfielders since arriving on English shores from Genk in January 2017, making 185 appearances for the Foxes in all competitions.
The Nigeria international played a pivotal part as Brendan Rodgers’ charges claimed their maiden FA Cup crown last term and has been a crucial cog in the Northern Irishman’s set up for several campaigns.
“He is an incredible player. The offensive players get the credit, but he does the dirty work,” said Rodgers back in 2019. “He has this brain for the game, where he can smell danger and always finds himself there.
“The timing of his challenge is very good, and he’s up there with the top players at winning the ball back. When you play a pressing game, you need someone like Wilf. His passing is good too, he’s always smiling.”
And the 2020/21 campaign was arguably Ndidi’s best yet. As per WhoScored, the £54m-rated monster averaged a whopping 3.7 tackles per league game and also managed 2.3 interceptions, placing him above his Leicester teammates for both metrics.
Over the summer, it was reported that Solskjaer was keen to swap his preferred 4-2-3-1 formation for a more attack-minded 4-3-3, dropping his double pivot of Fred and Scott McTominay in favour of a single holding midfielder.
However, the Norwegian tactician has so far only felt comfortable to do so for one half of football against Villarreal in the Champions League before reverting to type at half-time.
Therefore, United’s football director John Murtough must sanction a swoop for Ndidi over the coming months, supplying Solskjaer with the tools he needs to play his desired formation and allowing the team to progress as a result.
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