Nikola Milenkovic Still Seems To Be An Ideal Target For Manchester United
As the summer transfer window gets ever closer, big clubs like Manchester United will be targeting players that will improve their chances for challenging for silverware next season.
United clearly need more defensive reinforcements to be brought in to improve their backline. No club in the Premier League’s top six has conceded more than the Red Devils’ forty-four goals!
New permanent boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will be hoping that his club’s hierarchy can bring in at least two new defenders to help things at the back.
With it looking increasingly likely that club captain Antonio Valencia will depart on a free transfer in June, the need for a new right-back to challenge Diogo Dalot could be vital.
In the centre-back position, Man Utd need stronger characters than they’ve currently got. There seems to be a bit of deadwood in that area and quite a few that can play in that role seem to be injury prone.
Back in January, Serie A side Fiorentina stated that they rejected a bid from the Old Trafford side for defender Nikola Milenkovic (Source Manchester Evening News):
“We rejected great offers from Lyon for [Jordan] Veretout, from Marseille for [Giovani] Simeone and from Manchester United for Nikola Milenkovic,”
I believe it could be in United’s best interests to try an resurrect the deal in the summer. The Viola have tailed off in the second half of this season, and look to be finishing in a mid table position. That could see the Italian side being more forthcoming in selling the defender if the price is right.
Milenkovic has made more than forty appearances for club and country this term, playing as both a centre-half and as a right-back.
Being only twenty-one, he’s of the young age that United like when they are looking at players. He’s got plenty of potential and is already used to playing in a top continental league and for the Serbia national team.
Nikola is a very accomplished and versatile defender.
The Fiorentina man has the ball skills, pace and the composure of a young Rio Ferdinand. Plus he has the grit, determination and the physicality that is reminiscent of his compatriot Nemanja Vidic.
Milenkovic doesn’t seem to get easily flustered and that could be a real bonus for the young talent if he were to end up at Old Trafford given their defensive woes so far this term.
United need more pace, awareness and power at the back and, for me, Nikola Milenkovic would give them that and a whole lot more.
In his twenty-eight Italian top flight appearances this term, the youngster has a 77/5% passing success rate and makes around 1.8 tackles per outing. he’s pretty decent in the air, with Whoscored stating that he’s made 3.9 clearances and won 3.1 aerial duels!
In purchasing Nikola Milenkovic, Manchester United would be getting a 2 in 1 defender and that kind of defensive versatility could be key if injuries strike next term!
Posted on April 15th, 2019 by scott
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United need to purchase Nikola Milenkovic he would be a great asset to them.