Manchester United have been heavily linked with Aston Villa star Jack Grealish for some time now, and the rumours are starting to heat up again. Many outlets, such as Metro, are reporting that United expect to beat out the competition and sign him in the summer. However, a big-money move for Jack Grealish does not seem to make much sense.
This season, his preferred positions have been attacking midfield and left-wing. However, Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford fill those positions respectively for the Red Devils. Other options as to why they may sign him have been bouncing around recently, and one which seems more likely is that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer would bring Grealish in for competition in the midfield.
Would a Move for Jack Grealish Make Sense for Manchester United?
Competition has Paid Off Recently
A perfect example of where United’s lack of competition has led to poor performances, and where its introduction has improved showings drastically, is at left-back.
Luke Shaw has been the undisputed first-choice in the position for some time, however, he has never lived up to the standards he set prior to his leg break in 2015. The Englishman won the Sir Matt Busby Player of the Season award last campaign, but failed to continue that form going into 2019/20 and looked poor at the beginning of the season. But a hamstring injury, which took him out of action from September to November, gave a chance to other left fullbacks.
Although Ashley Young was the immediate replacement, youngster Brandon Williams got a chance in a Premier League match against Brighton and Hove Albion. He impressed and has since become a first-team regular, having played in five of their last eight league matches. This has done a world of good for Shaw, who looks so much better than at the beginning of the season.
The competition at left-back has worked wonders for Solskjaer’s men, and he will hope that Grealish can do the same.
Do They Need Competition in Central Midfield?
Although competition is always good, there are already many players in central midfield. When all are fit, Paul Pogba, Scott McTominay, Fred and Nemanja Matic are all quality options in the position, and with the likes of James Garner coming through the youth team at an astonishingly fast rate, it is only a matter of time before he breaks out into the first-team.
Paying £70 million for a player, whose off the pitch attitude has once again been proven poor, simply for competition in a position where the Red Devils already have quite some depth does not make sense, and going after Jadon Sancho and Jude Bellingham in the summer may be better options for the Manchester side.
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