What will Manchester United during the January transfer window? Well, it’s clear that they need reinforcements, given that the Red Devils are sitting 13th in the Premier League with only 26 points so far this term. Their form was poor, they won only one of their last five games in the first division.
So, arrivals seem likely for the Red Devils. Patrick Dorgu is one player who is connected with the transfer to the clubfrom the Italian side of Lecce. As for passing in attack, it was Matheus Cunha linked with another move to Old Trafford in the past few days and could leave Wolverhampton Wanderers this month.
Cunha was not the only striker to be linked with a potential move to Old Trafford before the window slams shut at the start of February.
Man United’s attacking target
The Red Devils have been linked with England winger Jamie Gittens in recent days. United were believed to be ‘seriously interested’ in the Borussia Dortmund star on January 19, according to Florian Plettenberg. English Chelsea and German giants Bayern Munich were also interested in a move, which could happen in the summer.
It’s easy to see why most of Europe’s biggest clubs, including United, are considering a move for Gittens. He has been sensational for Dortmund this season, with 11 goals and five assists in 26 games in all competitions.
There is one competition in which the Englishman, who is yet to win a title for his country, has excelled. The 20-year-old put on a real show in the Champions League, with four goals and an assist in six games, including a goal away to Real Madrid.
Given his impressive performances this term, it is perhaps no surprise that Gittens is now worth around £38million according to Football Transfers Expected Transfer Value (xTV) model. However, United actually have a striker worth even more and they may want to keep him.
Man United star worth more than Gittens
The player in question is here Alejandro Garnacho. The Argentine has impressed during his time at United so far since breaking through the academy. He has 23 goals and 14 assists in 118 games for the Red Devils.
Perhaps the most impressive season of the Argentinian representative was the 2023/24 season. Although he was only 19 years old, he played quite maturely, scoring ten goals and registering five assists in 50 appearances.
This term has not been so easy for the winger. In total, he played a bit under new boss Ruben Amorim performed 32 times. He has eight goals and five assists, an impressive record and is not far behind Gittens, although he has only managed three goals and one assist in the Premier League.
|
Garnacho statistics by competitions this season |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Competition |
Games |
Objectives |
Assists |
|
Premier League |
21 |
3 |
1 |
|
European league |
6 |
1 |
0 |
|
Carabao Cup |
3 |
3 |
3 |
|
Community Shield |
1 |
1 |
0 |
|
FA Cup |
1 |
0 |
1 |
|
Statistics from Transfermarkt |
|||
Some of his base numbers via FBref they have also been impressive over the past year. Garnacho, a confident ball carrier who will attack defenders, averages 5.84 progressive tackles and 3.4 penalty tackles per game. This places him in the top 8% and 5% of wing forwards in the big five European leagues, respectively.
A carry is considered progressive if the ball is moved towards the opponent’s goal at least 10 yards from its starting point or carried into the penalty area.
So, with that in mind, it might come as a shock to see him linked with a big-money move away from Old Trafford. According to the Mailboth Chelsea and Napoli are interested in a deal that could cost them more than £65m.
Interestingly, United’s valuation of their star man is £28m more than Gittens’ expected market value, perhaps suggesting the Red Devils should keep him rather than move him. After all, football statistician Statman Dave believes he is a “generational” talent.
It will be fascinating to see what decision United make about Garnach’s future. He’s clearly a talented player, with substantial amounts of money, but at that price, United may not be able to keep him.
