Manchester United have an eye on a raid on French side Nice to solve the club’s left-back conundrum.
The investment from Ineos has brought Manchester United into a multi-ownership group, with Sir Jim Ratcliffe‘s firm having major stakes in French club Nice and Swiss club Lausanne.
There are multiple benefits to this for United, and one is the potential to turn to the French side to sign players, and have relatively little trouble doing so.
A player who has been newly linked to the club is left-back Melvin Bard, with the Standard reporting he is being eyed to solve the club’s problem position.
Melvin Bard looked up to Manchester United duo
Melvin Bard, 23, has been a regular for Nice this season. Unlike Manchester United’s left-backs, he has stayed fit, making 26 starts.
Bard has represented France at every youth level, plus the Olympics, and is awaiting his first cap, however, is likely to fall short of representing his country at Euro 2024. That could be good news for Manchester United.
In an interview conducted last week with Nice-Matin, Bard admitted he grew up idolising two Red Devils players.
He explained: “I liked Nani in Manchester. My dad used to watch United and he called me Wayne Rooney, who I also loved.”
In terms of his own playing style, Bard referred to Real Madrid legend Marcelo as the player he has tried to model his game on.
He said: “Marcelo, in Madrid. I think he was truly the best left-back I’ve seen play. There are some very good ones, but he was really above them. He is an exceptional player.
“Whether offensively, defensively, technically… He was complete, could play anywhere. I loved watching him play and I try to do the same. I have work to reach his level but he is a player that I really like.”
Melvin Bard has experience playing at centre-back too
Defence has been a real problem for Manchester United this season with injuries stretching the team’s resources.
It should be noted with interest that Bard has experience playing at a centre-back, and believes he can easily adapt to the role if required. Having a versatile player is very useful.
He commented: “I had almost spent a season in central at Lyon. I think I have a good reading of the trajectory and good anticipation. I know I had very good matches as a central defender so it doesn’t bother me. It allows you to be versatile.”
Bard began his career with Lyon, making his debut in 2019/20, before being snapped up by Nice in 2021.