Despite ending the season with an FA Cup victory, it is undeniable that Manchester United did not have a particularly successful season overall.
Injuries significantly affected Erik ten Hag’s squad, but their eighth-place finish in the Premier League was warranted. Their offensive struggles were evident with just the ninth-best attack in the league, and defensively, they were equally troubled, conceding 58 goals—29 more than second-placed Arsenal.
This disappointing performance highlights the substantial work Sir Jim Ratcliffe and the Manchester United management must undertake this summer. However, there are encouraging signs that they are heading in the right direction. The latest transfer target, Ousmane Diomande from Sporting CP, appears to be a promising long-term partner for Lisandro Martínez.
### Manchester United’s Transfer News
According to a recent report from Portuguese outlet A Bola, Manchester United is among several clubs interested in signing Ivorian international Ousmane Diomande this summer. Other clubs reportedly in the race include Liverpool, Arsenal, and Newcastle. However, United has supposedly prioritized Diomande as a replacement for Raphaël Varane, who recently announced his departure from the club. Sporting CP has set the transfer fee for Diomande at around €50 million to €60 million (approximately £43 million to £51 million), a price that could be justified given the player’s potential.
Securing Diomande’s signature may be challenging, but with Varane’s exit, Manchester United urgently needs a new long-term defensive partner for Martínez. Diomande might be the ideal candidate.
### Why Diomande Would Be the Ideal Partner for Martínez
Described by data analyst Ben Mattinson as a “hybrid between Gabriel and Saliba,” Diomande possesses qualities that make him a fitting partner for Martínez in the coming years. Here are a few reasons why Diomande would be a perfect addition to Manchester United’s defense:
1. **Preferred Foot**: Diomande is primarily right-footed, which would complement the left-footed Martínez and create a more balanced backline.
2. **Impressive Statistics**: Diomande’s performance metrics compare favorably with United’s current defenders. For instance, he has higher non-penalty expected goals and assists, more progressive passes, more shot-creating actions, and better passing accuracy than both Martínez and Varane. Additionally, he miscontrols the ball less frequently and wins more aerial duels.
3. **Physical Presence**: Standing at 6 feet 3 inches, Diomande’s stature would provide a significant aerial advantage, addressing one of the potential vulnerabilities due to Martínez’s shorter height. As Antonio Mango, an U23 scout, describes, Diomande is the “perfect blend of a modern-day centre-back and a no-nonsense centre-back.”
### Statistical Comparison
Comparing the key statistics of Diomande, Martínez, and Varane from their respective recent seasons highlights 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 statistics indicate that Diomande not only matches but often surpasses his potential teammates and predecessor in critical defensive and offensive metrics.
### Conclusion
While there is always an inherent risk in signing players from leagues outside the top five European leagues, Diomande’s performance, underlying numbers, and physical attributes make him a strong candidate to be Lisandro Martínez’s long-term defensive partner at Manchester United. Given his age and the positive assessments from scouts and analysts, securing Diomande could be a strategic move that significantly strengthens United’s defense for years to come. Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his team appear to be making prudent decisions in their pursuit of new talent, signaling a promising future for Manchester United.
