Manchester United is currently negotiating with AS Monaco to bring midfielder Youssouf Fofana to Old Trafford. The 25-year-old French international, who is in the last year of his contract with Monaco, could be a great addition to Manchester United’s squad.
Fofana joined Monaco from Strasbourg in 2020 and has played 175 games for the club, scoring seven goals. Last season, he had a strong performance in Ligue 1, appearing in 32 matches, scoring four goals, and providing four assists.
Manchester United is impressed by Fofana’s versatility in midfield, which is why they’re interested in him. According to Sky Sports News’ Nubaid Haroon, Fofana could become a key player for United, particularly because of his ability to make precise passes and transition the ball quickly under pressure. Haroon believes he could be a regular starter, especially since young player Kobe Mainoo is still developing.
Besides Fofana, Manchester United is also looking at other midfielders like Richard Rios from Palmeiras, Sander Berge from Burnley, Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad, and Sofyan Amrabat from Fiorentina, who used to play at Old Trafford. They’re also considering Paris Saint-Germain’s Manuel Ugarte but are hesitant about the high asking price.
In terms of what Fofana could bring to Manchester United, he is expected to fill a defensive midfield role, balancing both defensive and attacking responsibilities. Last season, he scored four goals and contributed to eight total goals, averaging 0.27 goal contributions per 90 minutes. His expected goals per 90 minutes, excluding penalties, is 0.17, placing him in the top 69% of Ligue 1 players in this category.
Fofana’s strong passing accuracy and game control from midfield could complement Casemiro well. His experience both in Ligue 1 and with the French national team further bolsters his appeal as a potential key player for Manchester United.