“Live from Old Trafford – Manchester United has reached an agreement to sign Ousmane Diomande. However, the player has expressed his desire not to join the club, stating that he does not consider Manchester United a major team in England. Diomande prefers to play for Manchester City to compete for titles.”
### Manchester United’s Season and Future Prospects
Although Manchester United ended their season with an FA Cup win, their overall performance was underwhelming. Erik ten Hag’s squad, hampered by injuries, finished eighth in the Premier League. Their offensive and defensive issues were evident: they had the ninth-best attack in the league and conceded 58 goals, 29 more than second-placed Arsenal.
This subpar season underscores the significant efforts needed by Sir Jim Ratcliffe and the club’s management during the summer. However, there are promising signs of improvement, particularly with their interest in Ousmane Diomande from Sporting CP, who could be a strong long-term partner for Lisandro Martínez.
### Transfer Target: Ousmane Diomande
A report from Portuguese outlet A Bola indicates that Manchester United is keen on signing Ivorian international Ousmane Diomande, competing with Liverpool, Arsenal, and Newcastle for his signature. United views Diomande as a potential replacement for Raphaël Varane, who has recently left the club. Sporting CP has priced Diomande between €50 million and €60 million (£43 million to £51 million), a figure justified by his potential.
The acquisition of Diomande would address United’s urgent need for a solid defensive partner for Martínez following Varane’s departure.
### Why Diomande is a Good Fit
Described as a “hybrid between Gabriel and Saliba” by data analyst Ben Mattinson, Diomande possesses several qualities that make him an ideal match for Martínez:
1. **Complementary Footedness**: Diomande is right-footed, balancing the left-footed Martínez and enhancing the backline’s symmetry.
2. **Strong Performance Metrics**: Diomande’s stats surpass those of current defenders Martínez and Varane in key areas such as non-penalty expected goals, assists, progressive passes, and shot-creating actions. He also boasts higher passing accuracy and wins more aerial duels.
3. **Physical Presence**: At 6 feet 3 inches, Diomande adds significant aerial strength, addressing a height-related vulnerability in Martínez.
### Statistical Analysis
A comparison of key statistics from recent seasons shows Diomande’s potential:
| Stats per 90 | Diomande | Martínez (22/23) | Varane |
|————–|———-|——————|——–|
| Non-Penalty Expected Goals + Assists | 0.09 | 0.03 | 0.09 |
| Goals | 0.09 | 0.04 | 0.07 |
| Progressive Passes | 5.15 | 3.53 | 3.86 |
| Progressive Carries | 0.94 | 0.51 | 1.05 |
| Passing Accuracy | 91.6% | 87.0% | 88.9% |
| Shot-Creating Actions | 1.15 | 0.77 | 1.05 |
| Tackles Won | 1.02 | 1.19 | 0.72 |
| Tackles + Interceptions | 2.30 | 3.70 | 2.16 |
| Blocks | 0.47 | 2.17 | 1.50 |
| Miscontrols | 0.38 | 0.47 | 0.39 |
| Ball Recoveries | 5.62 | 6.98 | 4.38 |
| Aerial Duels Won | 2.00 | 1.36 | 1.37 |
These figures highlight Diomande’s strength in both defense and attack, often outperforming Martínez and Varane.
### Conclusion
While signing players from leagues outside Europe’s top five involves risks, Diomande’s performance metrics and physical attributes suggest he could be an excellent long-term defensive partner for Martínez. His youth and positive evaluations from scouts and analysts reinforce the potential impact of his signing. Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s strategic approach to new talent indicates a promising future for Manchester United’s defense.
