Manchester United can sign a perfect partner in crime for Diogo Dalot, with Erik ten Hag’s future plans at right-back now clear. Ten Hag has given up on Aaron Wan-Bissaka and plans to sign his replacement in an upcoming transfer window. The World Cup may have unearthed the perfect candidate.
Reports claim United have decided to sell the £50million flop after he failed to convince Ten Hag in the Dutchman’s first six months at the helm. The Red Devils intend to tie Dalot down to a new contract, sell Wan-Bissaka and recruit a new right-back in 2023.
Dalot has started all 20 of Ten Hag’s games as United boss due to Wan-Bissaka’s unavailability through injury, but now he’s back fit, he is set to be offloaded in January. And an ideal replacement has emerged, with Croatia’s Josip Juranovic one of the stars of the 2022 World Cup.
The 27-year-old has caught the eye with his confident displays in Qatar and is expected to secure a high-profile transfer in 2023. Celtic have already signed his replacement, Canadian defender Alistair Johnston, in preparation for his exit and are open to discussing a deal.
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United were linked with Juranovic in the summer, with the Hoops reportedly demanding £15m for his signature. But his form in Ange Postecoglou’s Scottish Premiership-dominating side and role in Croatia’s run to the World Cup semi-finals is certain to have boosted his value.
Earlier this month, transfer expert Dean Jones revealed United are still closely monitoring him and suggested Celtic could ask for more if a club of that magnitude arrived for him.
He told GiveMeSport: “Manchester United have had a close eye on him for sure. To be honest, his valuation is going to depend on which level of club comes in for him. Because if it’s Man United, you hike it up.”
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Dalot has earned the right to remain United’s first-choice right-back through his performances for the club since replacing Wan-Bissaka in the pecking order under Ralf Rangnick and Portugal this winter. But Ten Hag needs another quality option to help alleviate the burden on the 23-year-old.
The club’s status for January is in limbo amid the Glazers’ plans to sell the club before the end of the season. However, if there is a bargain deal to be had, Ten Hag could push United to make a move for Juranovic and have the Croat sharing responsibility with Dalot in the bid for a top-four finish.
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