Manchester United is interested in Bayer Leverkusen right-back Jeremie Frimpong who has excelled under Xabi Alonso this season. Since taking over as manager earlier this season, the former Liverpool player has used the 21-year-old as a right wing-back, and Frimpong has responded with eight goals and nine assists in all competitions. Last weekend, the former Manchester City and Celtic defender scored again as Leverkusen defeated Schalke 3-0, moving Alonso’s team up to sixth in the Bundesliga as they seek European qualifying. Frimpong’s performances won him a spot in the Netherlands squad for the World Cup, although he did not play under former United manager Louis van Gaal. Frimpong has yet to make his international debut after being left out of new Netherlands manager Ronald Koeman’s initial selection for last month’s Euro 2024 Qualifiers.
Manchester United target Jeremie Frimpong began his career at City but did not play in the first team before joining Celtic in September 2019. He made 51 appearances for the Scottish champions before joining Leverkusen in January 2021. Since taking over as manager of Manchester United in the summer, Erik ten Hag has used Diogo Dalot and Aaron Wan-Bissaka at right-back, with the former appearing 33 times and the latter 22 times. Both players’ contracts expire at the conclusion of next season, with Dalot’s contract being extended by a year in December of last year.
Frimpong began his career at Manchester City before joining Celtic for £1 million in 2019. He made 51 appearances for the Scottish club over two years before joining Bayer Leverkusen in 2021. The wing-abilities back’s have been highlighted in Germany, particularly this season, with 15 goal involvements in the Bundesliga and three assists in the Champions League and Europa League.
The 22-year-old was included in Louis van Gaal’s final Netherlands squad for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, but he did not make his senior International debut despite having represented his country at the U19, U20, and U21 levels. In addition to his goal threat, the Manchester City product possesses an unequaled engine for bursts of explosive pace, having registered a league-leading 834 sprints in the Bundesliga this season, while only four other players in the division have a faster peak speed.
Frimpong is also versatile as a wing-back, having played full-back and midfield, and only Jude Bellingham has more completed dribbles, which has led to his team winning 54 fouls, the fifth-highest count in the division. The pass map below shows how he often exchanges passes with teammates midway inside his own box or just inside the opposition’s half down his right channel – despite the fact that there is a lot of activity closer to the opposition box.
Lower passing accuracy with his distribution oriented upfield indicates room for growth, but it also says the wing-back isn’t hesitant to play more daring passes to cut past opponents’ defensive lines. The figures create a picture of a youth on the rise, with pedigree and a long, international future ahead of him. In short, United would be acquiring a versatile player capable of playing at full-back, wing-back, and midfield, while also offering pace, energy, and a significant goal threat.
Meanwhile, Manchester United Women forward Leah Galton has stated that she will not play for England again. The Manchester United attacker scored twice in Saturday’s 4-0 triumph over Brighton, giving her eight Women’s Super League goals this season. No one England player has more goals than Galton: Lionesses mainstay Rachel Daly. Despite United boss Marc Skinner previously hailing Galton as one of the “world’s top wingers,” the 28-year-old will not travel to Australia or New Zealand.
The forward ruled herself out of international duty with England three and a half years ago, stating that she preferred the time off during the international break to keep focused, sharp, and happy. Galton is not tempted to modify her England stance despite playing the best football of her career and the fact that Beth Mead’s anticipated absence from the World Cup has given up a slot, even though national team leaders have recently approached her about her availability. Her stance, however, is not shared by everyone. The most difficult aspect of Galton’s decision is not convincing herself that this is the best option, but convincing others. Galton, like many others throughout the country, will be watching the Lionesses as a fan, a position she is excited to play.
For more football news, click here
