Tony Cascarino explains why Manchester United should go all out for Crystal Palace skipper Marc Guehi.
Despite revamping their backline by splashing the cash on Matthijs de Ligt and Leny Yoro last summer, the Red Devils might have to recruit new defenders in the off-season. After all, Johny Evans and Victor Lindelof are expected to leave once their deals expire, while Lisandro Martinez has recently suffered an ACL injury that could rule him out of the first part of next season.
Moreover, if Ruben Amorim were to stay, the club would need to raise the number of their central defenders in accordance with his tactical system which requires three centre-halves.
Therefore, Cascarino makes the case for Guehi who has already been linked with United in the past. The former Chelsea, Aston Villa and Celtic striker feels that the 24-year-old would be the ideal profile for a club that lacks leadership. The 62-year-old goes on to compare the England international to legendary Man Utd captain Roy Keane.
“He’s a very composed character and you want that from your centre-back, and especially your captain,’ argued Cascarino in his column for The Times (via Metro).
“As a leader, he’s not the shouty type. He doesn’t look to inspire teammates verbally or by acting out on the pitch, but rather by the way he plays, leading by example and setting a precedent for others to follow.
“Guehi reminds me a bit of Roy Keane in that respect. Keane has a reputation for being a fiery character, but he was Manchester United’s most important player because he was their most consistent performer. He always set the standard for how they had to play, and Guehi does this for Palace.”
Tony Cascarino insists Marc Guehi is the defender Man Utd should be looking for
Cascarino adds that Guehi’s ability to play in a three-man backline renders him the perfect candidate to bolster Amorim’s ranks.
“Given that Guehi is well suited to playing in a back three, a formation favoured by very few elite managers, the next club he chooses will be very important for his career. Not that he can’t play in a back four, but the safety a three provides plays to his strengths and protects him a bit.
“If Manchester United and Ineos are serious about the direction they are going in under Ruben Amorim, Guehi is someone they should be looking at. Lisandro Martinez and Luke Shaw’s injury problems have often left them without a natural left-sided centre back and Guehi has already shown he can cope with the demands of that position in the Premier League.”
