The early noises coming out of a Manchester United side preparing for their first summer under Ineos control is that their re-vamped transfer strategy is likely to revolve less around big names and big reputations while instead focusing on promise and potential.
That is why Manchester United are looking seriously at the likes of Jarrad Branthwaite, Michael Olise and Benfica teenager Joao Neves. Three players who are far from the finished article, but will bring untapped talent and – should things not work out as planned – considerable re-sale potential.
But, as laid out by The Independent, the prioritising of rising talents does not mean United won’t go all-in on a more established, elite-level talent should the opportunity arise. The Independent throws forth the name of Victor Osimhen as a potential example.
But what aboutOsimhen’s former Napoli team-mate?
Manchester United missed out on Kim Min-Jae
Like the free-scoring Nigerian, Kim Min-Jae was linked heavily with a move to Old Trafford last summer. The Guardian even reported that Kim was United’s number one defensive target. But with the Red Devils unable to move on any of their existing centre-halves – Harry Maguire turned down West Ham and there was not exactly a sizeable queue forming for Victor Lindelof – United were ultimately powerless to prevent Bayern Munich triggering the £43 million release clause in Kim’s Napoli contract.
Nine months after that Guardian report, however, it’s tempting to wonder whether there could yet be one more chapter in a saga which appeared to have come to a conclusion back in 2023.
“I’ve never experienced this before. But I think I can learn something from it,” Kim tells T Online of his new role on Bayern bench.
The South Korean was left out of the starting XI again for the Champions League comeback victory over Lazio.
“Just because I’m not playing doesn’t mean that I’m completely thrown off track,” Kim adds. “I always have confidence in my abilities when I go on the pitch.
“(But I am) thinking a lot. So far, I’ve played a lot of games. But because there are so many good players here at Bayern, it can happen that I don’t play.”
‘Little reason to change’
Of course, like with the Mathys Tel situation, Kim’s time out of the starting XI may be only temporary. Bayern boss Thomas Tuchel is leaving this summer. An impending change in the dugout may have played a key role in Tel’s decision to sign fresh terms and turn his nose up at a potential summer switch to Old Trafford.
It could also offer Kim a clean slate.
“There is little reason to change at the moment,” Tuchel says of his decision to field Matthijs de Ligt and former Tottenham man Eric Dier ahead of Kim and Dayot Upamecano.
“It’s extremely hard for Min-Jae, especially because he actually deserves to play and is outstandingly good. But that’s how it is sometimes.”
Stuck on the Bayern Munich bench
Man United, after failing to reinforce their backline last summer, will almost certainly do so this time around. Jonny Evans is out of contract while offers for Maguire, Lindelof and Raphael Varane will likely be considered again.
Man United’s defensive plans, for the most part, appear be centring on promising youngsters such as Branthwaite, Goncalo Inacio and Antonio Silva. But like with Osimhen, should the opportunity to bring in an established, readymade top-level performer like the suddenly seldom-seen Kim Min-Jae arise, Ineos may be willing to make an exception to the rule.
“Kim does at least 20 incredible things per game,” said his former Napoli coach Luciano Spalletti. “For me, he truly is the best centre-back in the world. When he starts to run, he can get into the opposition penalty area in five seconds flat.”
Of course, the fact that he’s struggling for game time at Bayern may cast some doubt on Spalletti’s claims that Kim belongs in a category all of his own. But form, as they say, is merely temporary and anyone who has watched Kim closely over the years will have no doubts about the permanency of his class.