Manchester United's midfield rebuild has taken another decisive twist, with GoalZaza learning that personal terms have been agreed with Roma's French...
Manchester United's midfield rebuild has taken another decisive twist, with GoalZaza learning that personal terms have been agreed with Roma's French international, Manu Koné. The discussions at Old Trafford have been quietly humming all summer, but this news suggests Michael Carrick is about to add a third string to his bow in the engine room. Question is, does this signal the end of the road for someone else in the squad After the arrivals of a younger prospect and a seasoned head, Koné brings a different profile altogether.Koné is not your typical holding midfielder. At Roma he has demonstrated a willingness to drive forward with the ball, breaking lines from deep and unsettling defensive blocks. That ability to carry the ball into dangerous areas is precisely what United have lacked when the tempo drops. He can sit, but he can also surge. For a side that too often becomes predictable in possession, a player who can commit opponents and then release the ball early is a rare commodity. The deal, if finalised as expected, gives Carrick a blend of steel and silk in the middle third.What this means for United's existing midfielders is the more intriguing subplot. You do not commit to a long term deal for a player of Koné's age and ambition without believing he will play regularly. That puts pressure on those whose performances have blown hot and cold. The low block at Old Trafford has been a recurring issue, with United too often laboured against packed defences. Koné's willingness to take the ball on the half turn and drive at the backline could be the key to unlocking those stubborn rearguards.There is, of course, a cautionary angle. The Premier League is a different beast to Serie A, especially in transitional play. Koné will face a far higher intensity of press, and he will need to adjust his decision making speed. But the raw ingredients are there. If United can get him through the door and into the kit quickly, he could be the missing piece. The transfer window still has a few weeks of squeaky bum time left, and this feels like the sort of signing that could define a season.
