Manchester United reportedly want to add to their midfield options this summer with the addition of Barcelona midfielder Miralem Pjanic. A...
According to Fichajes, Red Devils’ boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is a huge fan of the Bosnian and sees him as an ideal replacement for Fred in the heart of the United midfield.
However, Ed Woodward – who is set to leave Old Trafford at the end of the year – would be rounding off his tenure with a shocking mistake should he sign-off a move.
Since arriving at the Nou Camp, Pjanic really has been underwhelming. The 31-year-old has made just 28 appearances in all competitions for the Catalans, only managing to rack up three assists. Compare this to even his last season in Turin, where he notched three goals and eight assists in all competitions, it is clear that Pjanic is currently on the decline.
That aspect is certainly exemplified by the huge hit that his transfer valuation has taken whilst in Spain.
Having been rated at £63m as recently as December 2019, the former AS Roma man now sits at just £25.2m – a huge drop of just under £38m in a year-and-a-half.
Now over 30, there is no reason to suggest that he might be able to recover both his form and his rating.
It is mystifying then that Solskjaer wants to replace Fred – who is three years his junior – with the current Barca midfielder.
According to WhoScored, the current Manchester United man comes out on top in tackles and interceptions, clearly excelling in his preferred defensive midfield role.
Intriguingly though, the Brazilian also excels in an attacking vein too having racked up more shots, key passes and dribbles than Pjanic per game throughout 2020/21.
Again then, it seems bizarre that Solskjaer would see the Barcelona midfielder as a viable option in the centre of the park.
Should Woodward agree a deal to sign him this summer then he would be making another glaring error.
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