Manchester United target Borussia Dortmund raid as they look to strengthen their defence
Manchester United are targeting a move for Borussia Dortmund defender Manuel Akanji this summer as they look to further bolster their backline.
The Red Devils have endured a torrid season to date, currently challenging for the top 4 in a campaign that promised a title challenge before it kicked off.
Central to their problems has been the defence, with 34 goals conceded already this campaign, despite the addition of four-times Champions League winner Raphael Varane. Harry Maguire has looked a shadow of the player that performed so well for England at Euro 2020, while Victor Lindelof has been solid if unspectacular.
Meanwhile, Eric Bailly and Phil Jones have been used sparingly amid injury worries for the pair.
In this light, a move for Akanji makes plenty of sense, with the 26-year-old having rejected a new deal with Borussia Dortmund and seemingly surplus to requirements following the addition of Niklas Sule.
Manchester United are pushing to sign Manuel Akanji, as already reported. The Swiss defender (who has rejected a #BVB offer) is @ManUtd fan and dreams of the Prem League. According to Bild Red Devils have made a concrete offer now: 4-y-contract, €15m salary. Price tag: €30m. https://t.co/EZAhM7MZe7
— Patrick Berger (@berger_pj) February 24, 2022
Where would Ajanji fit in?
Should Akanji arrive in Manchester, it would leave two options for any new Manchester United manager. Presumably, the reputation of Raphael Varane would keep him in the side, meaning that Harry Maguire, current Manchester United captain, would be the victim of the Swiss international’s arrival.
Manuel Akanji of Borussia Dortmund controls the ball during the UEFA Europa League Knockout Round Play-Offs Leg One match between Borussia Dortmund and Rangers FC at Signal-Iduna-Park on February 17, 2022 in Dortmund, Germany. (Photo by Alex Gottschalk/DeFodi Images via Getty Images)
Alternatively, it could see a move to a back three, which Maguire has played in and excelled in while on duty with England previously.
Read more:
Rangers vs Borussia Dortmund betting tips: Europa League preview, predictions and odds
Arsenal vs Wolverhampton Wanderers betting tips: Premier League preview, predictions and odds
Manchester United betting odds, next game:
Manchester United’s latest videos
RHYTHM IS A DANCER 🕺 🔊
Subscribe to Manchester United on YouTube at http://bit.ly/ManU_YT Visit Manchester United at http://www.manutd.com Like…
2022-02-24T01:03:38Z
Rangnick, De Gea, Matic & Elanga react to Atleti draw | Atletico Madrid 1-1 Manchester United | UCL
Hear what Ralf Rangnick, David De Gea, Nemanja Matic & Anthony Elanga all made…
2022-02-24T00:30:01Z
Manchester United latest news
Premier League table
| # | Team | MP | D | P |
| 1 | Manchester City | 26 | 46 | 63 |
| 2 | Liverpool FC | 25 | 44 | 57 |
| 3 | Chelsea FC | 25 | 31 | 50 |
| 4 | Manchester United | 26 | 10 | 46 |
| 5 | West Ham United | 26 | 11 | 42 |
| 6 | Arsenal FC | 23 | 10 | 42 |
| 7 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | 24 | 5 | 40 |
| 8 | Tottenham Hotspur | 23 | 0 | 39 |
| 9 | Brighton & Hove Albion | 25 | -3 | 33 |
| 10 | Southampton FC | 25 | -5 | 32 |
| 11 | Leicester City | 23 | -6 | 27 |
| 12 | Aston Villa | 24 | -6 | 27 |
| 13 | Crystal Palace | 25 | -4 | 26 |
| 14 | Brentford FC | 26 | -15 | 24 |
| 15 | Leeds United | 24 | -21 | 23 |
| 16 | Everton FC | 23 | -12 | 22 |
| 17 | Newcastle United | 24 | -19 | 22 |
| 18 | Watford FC | 24 | -19 | 18 |
| 19 | Burnley FC | 22 | -9 | 17 |
| 20 | Norwich City | 25 | -38 | 17 |
| Player | Team | Goals |
|---|---|---|
| Salah, Mohamed | Liverpool FC | 19 |
| Jota, Diogo | Liverpool FC | 12 |
| Mane, Sadio | Liverpool FC | 11 |
| Sterling, Raheem | Manchester City | 10 |
| Fernandes, Bruno | Manchester United | 9 |
| Son, Heung Min | Tottenham Hotspur | 9 |
| Dennis, Emmanuel | Watford FC | 9 |
| Ronaldo, Cristiano | Manchester United | 9 |
| Smith-Rowe, Emile | Arsenal FC | 9 |
| Raphinha | Leeds United | 9 |
| Vardy, Jamie | Leicester City | 9 |
| Bowen, Jarrod | West Ham United | 8 |
| Antonio, Michail | West Ham United | 8 |
| Mahrez, Riyad | Manchester City | 8 |
| Gallagher, Conor | Crystal Palace | 8 |
| Maupay, Neal | Brighton & Hove Albion | 8 |
| Zaha, Wilfried | Crystal Palace | 8 |
| Mount, Mason | Chelsea FC | 7 |
| Saka, Bukayo | Arsenal FC | 7 |
| De Bruyne, Kevin | Manchester City | 7 |
| Player | Team | Red Cards | Yellow Cards |
|---|---|---|---|
| Neves, Ruben | Wolverhampton Wanderers | 0 | 9 |
| Dennis, Emmanuel | Watford FC | 0 | 7 |
| Mctominay, Scott | Manchester United | 0 | 8 |
| Salisu, Mohammed | Southampton FC | 0 | 7 |
| Fernandes, Bruno | Manchester United | 0 | 7 |
| Rice, Declan | West Ham United | 0 | 7 |
| Shaw, Luke | Manchester United | 0 | 7 |
| Brownhill, Josh | Burnley FC | 0 | 7 |
| Cash, Matty | Aston Villa | 0 | 7 |
| Maguire, Harry | Manchester United | 0 | 6 |
| Firpo, Junior | Leeds United | 0 | 7 |
| Gallagher, Conor | Crystal Palace | 0 | 6 |
| Pogba, Paul | Manchester United | 1 | 5 |
| McGinn, John | Aston Villa | 0 | 6 |
| Canos, Sergi | Brentford FC | 0 | 6 |
| Alonso, Marcos | Chelsea FC | 0 | 6 |
| Moreno, Rodrigo | Leeds United | 0 | 6 |
| Norgaard, Christian | Brentford FC | 0 | 6 |
| Westwood, Ashley | Burnley FC | 0 | 6 |
| Tarkowski, James | Burnley FC | 0 | 6 |
| Player | Team | Assists |
|---|---|---|
| Salah, Mohamed | Liverpool FC | 10 |
| Alexander-Arnold, Trent | Liverpool FC | 10 |
| Robertson, Andy | Liverpool FC | 9 |
| Bowen, Jarrod | West Ham United | 8 |
| Pogba, Paul | Manchester United | 8 |
| Jesus, Gabriel | Manchester City | 7 |
| Fernandes, Bruno | Manchester United | 6 |
| Mount, Mason | Chelsea FC | 6 |
| Cancelo, Joao | Manchester City | 6 |
| Son, Heung Min | Tottenham Hotspur | 5 |
| Dennis, Emmanuel | Watford FC | 5 |
| Antonio, Michail | West Ham United | 5 |
| James, Reece | Chelsea FC | 5 |
| Lacazette, Alexandre | Arsenal FC | 5 |
| Henderson, Jordan | Liverpool FC | 5 |
| Kovacic, Mateo | Chelsea FC | 5 |
| Barnes, Harvey | Leicester City | 5 |
| Redmond, Nathan | Southampton FC | 5 |
| Mahrez, Riyad | Manchester City | 4 |
| Gallagher, Conor | Crystal Palace | 4 |
Click here to bet on the latest matches from around the world with bet365
