Thomas Tuchel has warned Manchester United why Ryan Gravenberch won’t solve midfield problem

Man United are considering a move for Bayern Munich ace Ryan Gravenberch ahead of the transfer window closing next week.

With just over a week to go until the summer transfer window slams shut, Manchester United are still actively searching to strengthen their squad before the bell.

United, who will be looking to get back to winning ways when they welcome Nottingham Forest to Old Trafford on Saturday, have drafted in three new faces so far this summer, landing Andre Onana, Mason Mount and Rasmus Hojlund. However, some areas within their squad still require extra depth.

Among them, of course, is the central-midfield berth. Despite investing £60million in Mount, who will miss the clash with Forest through injury, United, as highlighted in their opening two games this season, desperately need to beef up that area of the team.

Casemiro, who excelled in his first season at Old Trafford last term, has not been provided with the support and competition he requires on the defensive side of the midfield operation. Mount, along with Bruno Fernandes, has operated too far away from the Brazilian, often leaving him exposed.

Through the eyes of almost every United supporter, the club needs to recruit a secondary defensive-midfielder. They continue to monitor Fiorentina’s Sofyan Amrabat.

He is out-of-contract in Italy next summer, meaning he could be available in a cut-price deal. The Moroccan is a seasoned No.6, who sits deep, breaks up attacks and dictates game from in front of the back-four.

Despite United being understood to be fond of him, they are currently mulling over the prospect of signing Bayern Munich midfielder Ryan Gravenberch. The Manchester Evening News understands that United are considering a late move for him ahead of the transfer window closing on September 1.

Gravenberch, 21, worked with United manager Erik ten Hag at Ajax, meaning they know each other inside out. The former made more than 100 appearances at Ajax under the Dutchman, earning no shortage of rave reviews, which led to him joining Bayern in June 2022.

The Netherlands international’s time at the Allianz Arena has so far failed to work out, though. He has made just 33 appearances in all competitions and has played no part in their opening two games of this campaign.

Unsurprisingly, that has resulted in an increase in speculation concerning his future at the club. However, speaking last week, Bayern head coach Thomas Tuchel confirmed that he was happy for Gravenberch to fight for his place.

He said: “I see him in an attacking position. When he was subbed on in pre-season games, he was very good and always had influence.

“But there’s a lot of competition there. I see his strengths under pressure from opponents and in dribbling. I’m very happy with the way he’s training. If he’s patient, he’ll get his chance.”

Interestingly from a United point of view, however, Tuchel referred to Gravenberch as an attack-minded midfielder, as opposed to being a player that will sit deep and help out defensively. The youngster has spent the bulk of his career so far playing as a box-to-box midfielder, proving progressive and forward-thinking in possession.

He has played as a No.6 on a handful of occasions, offering defensive qualities, but he is far more effective in attacking scenarios. Using his physicality and speed, he likes to get on the ball and drive into forward areas, maximising his excellent athleticism.

With that in mind, he is not necessarily the type of midfielder that United need at this juncture. Had the club not have signed Mount earlier this summer to operate between both boxes, he would have been the perfect candidate to challenge Christian Eriksen for the No.8 berth alongside Casemiro.

But if it is a defensive-minded midfielder that United are after, Gravenberch, though he has defensive traits, is not necessarily the man. He is, quite simply, the right player at the wrong time for the Reds.