Manchester United could act upon their long-term interest in Sergej Milinkovic-Savic as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer eyes improvements in midfield.
According to Fichajes, Manchester United could make a move for Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, possibly next summer, as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer eyes big midfield improvements in the side. The Lazio star has been linked with a move away but has a long-term deal with the Italian club.
Manchester United’s links to Milinkovic-Savic are nothing new. Former manager Jose Mourinho had shown keen interest in the Serbian, and each summer from then on, a link to the midfielder became a familiar story. Now, even Solskjaer is interested in signing the midfielder. With a summer move in mind, Manchester United could keep tabs on Milinkovic-Savic and make an offer at the end of the season.
Milinkovic-Savic has a contract with Lazio until 2024, and the Italians reportedly value him at €70 million. Since joining the Serie A side back in 2015, the midfielder has made over 250 appearances, scoring 49 goals and providing 40 assists in all competitions.
Those are good numbers for a box-to-box midfielder, who occasionally played in a more advanced position. His appearances stats also show his fitness levels, as he has consistently made himself available to play.
It’s been many years that Manchester United have faced issues in the middle of the park, as even Solskjaer has not zeroed in on a regular centre-midfield pairing. Fred, Scott McTominay, Nemanja Matic and Paul Pogba are all options, but all those players have shown inconsistency in the centre.
Solskjaer likes to utilise Pogba in an advanced position or on the wings during important games. Signing Milinkovic-Savic could let him strengthen the position and have a player who could be a great option for the club’s medium to long-term future.
Liverpool were also linked with him during the summer, as they momentarily searched for a replacement for Gini Wijnaldum. In general, the interest in Milinkovic-Savic was diminished as clubs baulked at Lazio’s asking price upon enquiries.
Manchester United will certainly look to negotiate a lower price next summer, and after being at one club for so long, the player might want a move away. He certainly will improve Solskjaer’s options in the middle, as he holds experience and is tactically very good from midfield. Furthermore, with Pogba’s future uncertain because of his contract situation, he can be an ideal replacement for the Frenchman as well.
It was always the dreaded assurance in an incumbent manager which is a poisoned chalice marking that his days are numbered. A similar run of poor results will surely mark the end of Solskjaer’s reign as the next tranche of games after the international break will be the defining ones where United are headed. They have to play Leicester, Manchester City, Arsenal, and Liverpool, all of whom are capable of beating United so long as Solskjaer is at the helm. John Murtough should be ruthless in sacking him if the results are negative pushing Manchester United further down the table and all hopes for a top finish would have disappeared with only a third of the fixtures played.