United ‘presented their projects’ to ‘complete midfielder’ 2-3 weeks ago, they’ve now accelerated their interest

Manchester United chiefs have work to do in the transfer market if they want to see the side competing at the top of the table next season.

Erik ten Hag and his men get their term underway six days before their Premier League opener at home to Fulham when they lock horns with Manchester City in Saturday’s Community Shield Final.

Joshua Zirkzee may feature in Rasmus Hojlund’s absence, although it’s been suggested that the club harbour concerns over their new recruit’s lack of experience in the English top flight and, as a result, he may be eased into the action rather than thrown into a starting role.

United’s only other summer signing thus far, Leny Yoro, is also unavailable after fracturing his metatarsal, leaving one of Harry Maguire, Jonny Evans or Victor Lindelof to partner Lisandro Martinez in the backline.

Reports emerged last night claiming that Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Co. Were looking to hijack AC Milan’s move for Youssouf Fofana, whom Fabrizio Romano has claimed will ‘100 per cent’ leave AS Monaco before deadline day.

Read more: Lack of interest in maligned United man could force INEOS to ignore Ten Hag’s pleas and sell his trusty lieutenant

United step up efforts to sign Fofana

The two clubs are yet to reach a concrete agreement on his transfer, which has paved the way for United to test their luck and see if they can sway the French international away from his preferred San Siro switch and to Old Trafford.

Per Florian Plettenberg, they ‘presented their projects and plans’ to Fofana around two-to-three weeks ago but have more recently made contact with his agents to explore the possibility of a deal.

The 25-year-old – deemed a ‘complete midfielder’ by StatmanDave – played in three matches of France’s Euro 2024 campaign and was an unused substitute in their semi-final defeat to Spain – the eventual winners of the tournament.

Across Europe’s top five leagues last season, Youssouf Fofana ranked in the top ten percentile of central midfielders for the following p90 metrics:

✅ Passes into the final third (6.47)

✅ Progressive passes (8.31)

✅ Ball recoveries (7.68)

✅ Through balls (0.43)

Complete… pic.twitter.com/gPFHGwtamt

— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) August 6, 2024