Manchester United chiefs are scrambling to find a successor for World Cup-winning sensation Paul Pogba, who is set to leave the club. And, after a move for West Ham’s Declan Rice was reportedly knocked down due to valuation issues, they have moved their focus to RB Leipzig midfielder Christopher Nkunku.
Pogba joined United for a then-world record sum of £89 million in 2016, having already left the club on a free transfer to Juventus four years prior.
Despite showing flashes of brilliance, his only trophies since returning to United are a Carabao Cup and a Europa League.
Pogba may believe it is now or never if he wants to go and win the most prestigious club trophies.
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And, according to ESPN, United has discovered a ready-made successor in Nkunku, who is a fan of Ralf Rangnick.
According to the article, West Ham midfielder Rice is a top target, however, the Hammers are expected to price him out of a deal.
The London club would most likely value their most prized asset at roughly £80 million, forcing United to look elsewhere.
And that may be Nkunku, who has been on fire for RB Leipzig this season.
Nkunku has flourished in East Germany, scoring a hat-trick at the Etihad Stadium earlier this season, although in a 6-3 defeat.
This season, the former PSG midfielder has 13 Bundesliga goals and nine assists in 23 Bundesliga appearances.
To add to his brilliance, he has scored seven Champions League goals in just six games this season, raising his prominence even more.
The midfielder has scored eight goals in his previous ten league appearances, establishing himself as one of the continent’s most sought-after midfielders.
And, having worked with Rangnick’s old Leipzig crew, a move appears to be on the cards.
The German lauded his team after a hard-fought 4-2 victory against fierce rivals Leeds United on Sunday.
Goals from Harry Maguire, Bruno Fernandes, Fred, and Anthony Elanga gave the Red Devils a much-needed victory in their bid to qualify for the Champions League.
Rangnick, on the other hand, believes his team could have scored four goals by halftime.
“It took us about ten or fifteen minutes to get into the game. I think we did really well in the last half-hour before halftime; we put them under pressure, we forced them into their half, and the entire first half was played in their half. We were 2-0 ahead, and it could have been 3-0 or 4-0 “After the game, he stated.
