Why roping in Wilfred Ndidi could help Manchester United improve their performances next season
According to Daily Star, Owen Hargreaves believes that Manchester United should target Leicester City midfielder Wilfred Ndidi this coming summer.
The former Manchester United midfielder is of the opinion that roping in Ndidi would make United a force to reckon with. However, he also added that they needed to bring in Borussia Dortmund winger Jadon Sancho and a left-sided centre-back to become title contenders once again.
United and manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has had a frustrating campaign so far despite signing Harry Maguire, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Daniel James and recently Bruno Fernandes. Leaving aside their recent form, thanks to Fernandes’ arrival, United have had an inconsistent season so far. They are still three points below the top-four spot and are in fifth place.
Solskjaer’s side have managed to win just 12 of their 29 league games so far. According to former Red Devils star Hargreaves, they need a defensive player of Ndidi’s mould if they wish to challenge in the league next season.
Meanwhile, Ndidi has been a vital cog in Brendan Rodgers’ Leicester City side who are at 3rd spot in the league this season.
The 23-year-old youngster played a crucial role initially in the season, helping them become the side to concede the least number of goals. However, Leicester lost a few midway into the season that has seen them drop to third place in the list of teams with the best defensive record.
Having conceded 28 goals, they are only behind league leaders Liverpool (21) and newcomers Sheffield United (25). Leaving out a knee injury that saw him sit out of five games, he has played 23 of their 29 games. Out of the 23 matches that he has appeared in, Foxes have won 15 of them, drawn three and lost five.
His numbers are a testament to the talent that he possesses. Despite being so young, Ndidi who is known for his defensive aspects, has become a major part of Foxes’ success in this season’s campaign.
He has also chipped in for his side with two goals and an assist this season despite being a deep-lying holding midfielder. With 91 tackles to his credit, the young Nigerian is third in the list of Premier League players with maximum tackles. Only teammate Ricardo Pereira (119) and Manchester United’s Aaron Wan-Bissaka (99) lead him.
What is to be noted is that the other two are defenders, while Ndidi is a defensive midfielder. Also, United have just one defensive midfielder in Nemanja Matic.
Though he has regained his form in recent games, he is already past his thirties and is way past his prime. Hence, Ndidi could provide a side like United the much-required defensive cover in the middle of the park.
Read more:
- Why Manchester United should make a move for Denis Zakaria
- Why Manchester United should offload Jesse Lingard in the summer
- Why Manchester United must make a move for AS Roma’s Cengiz Under
Verdict
It would be immensely helpful if an inconsistent side such as Manchester United could rope in a defensive midfielder like Ndidi. Moreover, he is still young and has plenty of time to develop further. Hence, the Red Devils should consider Hargreaves’ suggestion and land the Nigerian if they wish to climb up the league table next season.
