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Manchester United are keen on Borussia Monchengladbach’s Manu Kone as an alternative to Adrien Rabiot in the summer.
On Sunday, The Peoples Person relayed details on United’s renewed interest in Rabiot, with Erik ten Hag reportedly in contact with the Juventus midfielder.
The squad is in need of reinforcement in the summer, with this season revealing a lack of depth that saw struggles during Christian Eriksen’s injury and Casemiro’s suspensions.
Rabiot, available on a free transfer, looks to be the preferred candidate to shore up the engine room, although difficulties in negotiations last summer would make contingencies prudent.
And according to RMC Sport, Manu Kone is the player United are most interested in should they fail to secure Rabiot.
The Bundesliga midfielder has impressed for Gladbach this season and is believed to be nearing a call-up to the French national team, who he has represented at Under-21 level.
His ability to dribble through the centre of the park falls perfectly in line with Erik ten Hag’s vision, should his lengthy pursuit of Frenkie de Jong be anything to go by.
And at 21 years of age, Kone could be a shrewd squad building addition as United look to bring down the average age of their midfield.
Key players Casemiro and Eriksen are both in their thirties, with Bruno Fernandes not far behind.
Fred is also thirty, while United’s slightly younger midfielders – Scott McTominay and Donny van de Beek – have uncertain futures at the club as things stand.
Kone is contracted until 2025 with Gladbach, which may give the Red Devils some pull in negotiating a transfer fee.
Interest from other clubs in Europe is to be expected, however, meaning Manchester United will be hoping for a speedy resolution to the Rabiot saga so that they can decide whether an alternative midfielder is required.
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