Some Manchester United fans don’t think the club will sign Borussia Monchengladbach midfielder Denis Zakaria, who has also attracted interest from Arsenal and Liverpool.
Reports from Sky Germany (via the Mirror) have stated that United, Liverpool and Arsenal have held meetings with Zakaria’s agent recently to discuss a potential transfer to their clubs.
The Red Devils have been linked with the Swiss midfielder over the last few weeks and the previous links from German outlet BILD came earlier this month.
Some United fans believe that their club will not sign the midfielder and other clubs will get him.
#mufc, Liverpool and Arsenal have held first meetings with the representatives of Borussia Monchengladbach's Denis Zakaria to discuss a transfer #mulive [sky germany]
— utdreport (@utdreport) October 29, 2019
We aren’t getting him then lol
— Adam (@AdamLeahy10) October 29, 2019
Off to Pool then
— Mancunian Henry (@CR7STIANOOO) October 29, 2019
Liverpool bound
— Dan (@RatedRKO_Dan) October 29, 2019
Will be holding the shirt along side the Kloppster while we sign the Longstaff brothers ‘Cultural Rebuild’
— L. Coles (@ColesLeights) October 29, 2019
Currently 22, Zakaria is a key part of Marco Rose’s Gladbach side. He scored for the club in their game against Eintracht Frankfurt this weekend, helping them pick up a 4-2 win at home.
So far this season, he has played in nine Bundesliga games and has managed to score twice already. He has also played in all three of Gladbach’s UEFA Europa League games this season.
Zakaria joined Gladbach from Swiss side Young Boys in the summer of 2017 and has appeared 78 times in all competitions since joining. He has scored eight times during this time, racking up a tally of four assists too.
Some United fans are also positive about the potential signing of the former Young Boys man.
Good on the ball defensively & offensively. Lots of pace/energy to match aswell. Exactly what our midfield needs.
— ?? (@UtdPee) October 29, 2019
@atabdurab Soumare and him is a hard window fam
— DWDylan10 (@DWDylan10) October 29, 2019
Zakaria has been the Foals’ best tackler so far this season. He has won 2.6 tackles per game, 0.4 ahead of German midfielder Christoph Kramer.
He is also the club’s fourth-best interceptor this season. He has made as many as 1.7 interceptions per game, only behind Ramy Bensebaini, Nico Elvedi and the experienced Tony Jantschke.
The 22-year-old also holds the tag for being the club’s highest dribbler too. He has completed 2.2 dribbles per game – more than attacking players like Florian Neuhaus, Breel Embolo and highest scorers Alassane Plea and Marcus Thuram.
What do we think?
Stats point to Zakaria being a complete package of a midfielder. He seems good on the ball and is promising with it on his feet. United’s failure to sign a central midfielder this past summer due to the departure of Ander Herrera means they are short of a player in that area.
Interest from other clubs suggests Zakaria is the real deal. That is evident from his performances in the Bundesliga too. If United are really keen, they should go for the Switzerland international. He could potentially bring some physicality to the midfield and also may add more power to it.