Former Manchester United coach urges club to move for £37m Chelsea defender | OneFootball

Man United urged to revisit Jorrel Hato transfer after Chelsea struggles

Manchester United have been encouraged to explore a move for Chelsea defender Jorrel Hato, a player once regarded as one of Europe’s most assured young prospects. The suggestion comes amid growing scrutiny over Hato’s limited role at Stamford Bridge following his £37 million switch from Ajax.

Chelsea moved decisively to secure Hato ahead of Arsenal last summer, convinced they were landing a defender capable of shaping their back line for years. At 19, he had already worn the captain’s armband at Ajax, becoming the youngest skipper in the club’s history in November 2023. That detail alone spoke volumes about his maturity.

Photo IMAGO

Yet the Premier League has offered a sterner education. Hato has made 12 league appearances for Chelsea, only five of which have extended beyond 45 minutes. In a squad packed with options such as Marc Cucurella and Wesley Fofana, opportunities have been intermittent rather than foundational.

Chelsea gamble under scrutiny

For a player of Hato’s profile, rhythm matters. At Ajax, he was trusted, central to the system, encouraged to step into midfield and build from the back. At Chelsea, he has found himself on the periphery, deployed mainly in cup competitions while the Premier League minutes accumulate elsewhere.

Former Manchester United first team coach Rene Meulensteen has questioned the wisdom of the move.

“It is a disappointing move for Jorrel Hato because he was absolutely outstanding for Ajax at the time,” Meulensteen said, via Metro.

“He was very, very young and was the captain, which says a lot about the trust the manager put in him in terms of his personality and his leadership qualities.

“Then a club like Chelsea comes in because they want to pick up all the best players here, there, and everywhere. However, it doesn’t necessarily mean that they fit in with the way the team wants to play. He’s been one of the guys who hasn’t really settled.

“Yes, he can get a big paycheck and a lot of money in the bank, but young players should be playing. Nobody can guarantee success for players wherever they go, but you want to get a sense of the manager’s plan and what he has planned for you.

“He is also versatile, he can play left-back, centre-back, or as a number six. He is technically very, very good.”

Man United opportunity emerges

Meulensteen went further, suggesting that Man United should monitor the situation closely.

“It doesn’t help his career, so it wouldn’t surprise me if he is looking for a loan move or another challenge elsewhere.

“If I were any Premier League team, including Manchester United, and he were available or became available, I would definitely be looking at him because he is still very young, and there is a lot of potential to unlock.”

For Man United, the appeal is clear. Hato is left footed, comfortable in possession, and capable of playing across the defensive line or even in midfield. In a squad seeking balance and long term structure, he represents potential as much as polish.

Whether Chelsea would sanction a move to a domestic rival remains doubtful. But if circumstances shift, Man United may find that Hato’s stalled chapter in west London opens the door to a more decisive role at Old Trafford.