Tarik Muharemovic: Man United identify Sassuolo star as a priority | OneFootball

Manchester United are ramping up interest in Tarik Muharemovic but face a red-hot transfer battle with Premier League rivals to secure the Sassuolo defender’s signature, according to a report from Italy.

Leaky Backline

The Red Devils are currently 6th after last night’s disappointing draw against Wolverhampton Wanderers as they wasted yet another chance to climb into the Champions League spots.

United’s performance this season is a tale of two halves — with the attack ranking amongst the division’s best, while his defence is close to the worst.

Only Arsenal and Manchester City — first and second in the table — have scored more than United’s 33 goals. And this figure should be even higher, given the number of guilt-edged chances Ruben Amorim’s men have squandered.

Conversely, United have conceded 29 times in just 19 games, with only five other sides having a worse record. If this replicates itself in the second half of the campaign, it will produce a poorer defensive return than last season, United’s worst in the Premier League era with a dismal 15th-placed finish.

It’s evident, therefore, where United should be focusing their attention when the transfer window opens tomorrow, with improvements in defence and defensive midfield high on the agenda at Old Trafford.

This explains why INEOS dispatched scouts to watch Muharemovic last weekend as Sassuolo travelled to face Bologna in Serie A — with the 22-year-old defender certainly catching the eye at the Stadio Dall’Ara. 

Physicality and Personality

Gazzetta di Modena (as relayed by GIFN) reveals United’s scouts were “impressed” by Muharemovic as he notched his second goal of the season in the 1-1 draw.

The Bosnia and Herzegovina international is a physically imposing defender who takes no prisoners when engaging opposition attackers. 

But he is also adept with the ball at his feet, which, when combined with a potent goal threat from crosses, makes him an intriguing prospect in the increasingly set-piece dominated Premier League.

“What catches the eye is his personality, which is not at all common for a player of his age, and which, combined with his foot and his physicality, makes him the perfect prototype of a central defender for the dynamic and daring football that characterizes the English league,” Gazzetta di Modena reports.

The Italian newspaper contends Aston Villa and Bournemouth are also in the hunt for Muharemovic, while Inter Milan and Juventus “remain in contention”.

But Juventus hold an ace up their sleeve as they retain a 50% sell-on clause, as the centre-back previously played in their youth team before leaving the Old Lady to join Saussolo last year.

If United are hoping to strike a deal for one of Serie A’s emerging stars, they will have to tackle an Italian heavyweight in the process it appears.

Featured image Alessandro Sabattini via Getty Images

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