Throughout the Erik ten Hag era, not just during a dismal 2023/24, Manchester United have often looked like a team crying out for a ball-carrying central midfielder.
Ten Hag has had classic destroyers like Casemiro, gifted yet sluggish playmakers like Christian Eriksen, energetic shuttlers like Fred, and a bonafide creative kingpin in Bruno Fernandes.
Where Manchester United have frequently been found wanting, however, is when it comes to a midfielder capable of picking up the ball from deep and driving through the thirds, skipping through challenges and turning defence into attack in an instant.
If Ten Hag survives the Ineos cull – and remains true to his desire to turn the Red Devilsinto ‘the best transition team in the world’ – then a signing like Khephren Thuram would be a massive step towards turning the Dutchman’s ambitions into a reality.
Ineos’ Manchester United eyeing OGC Nice raid
Thuram has endured a difficult season at Nice, scoring only one goal, providing only one assist, and struggling to recapture the excellence of his 2022/23 campaign. The France Under 23 international is, however, a player Ineos know very well on the back of five years at the Allianz Riviera.
Furthermore, with his contract expiring next summer and his price-tag reportedly falling from £40 million to around £15 million, the potential rewards may offset the risk of bringing in a player who’s form has tailed off across the Channel of late (Nice Matin).
From a stylistic perspective, Thuram at his best would certainly offer a different dimension to a one-paced Man United midfield that has often struggled to fulfil Ten Hag’s demands.
At 6ft 4ins, the former Monaco starlet covers the ground brilliantly, he has the skill to escape from the tightest of gaps, and can pick a pass too, boasting both the physical and the technical attributes most top clubs tend to look for.
“Khephren is another talented player here,” former Nice team-mate Aaron Ramsey told Get France Football News. “I think he’s definitely got a big future ahead of him if he carries on the way he’s going at the minute.
“He’s very dangerous, very powerful, a very strong dribbler of the ball. Hopefully, he can keep progressing. He’s another player that can go all the way to the top, I feel.”
Khephren Thuram has shades of Paul Pogba
There are obvious comparisons to be made between Thuram and a young Paul Pogba, and not just because of their French heritage. Thuram, who was born in Italy during his father Lillian’s time at Parma, possesses a similar swagger and drive to Man United’s one-time £89 million record signing, and may be the ideal addition to connect Kobbie Mainoo and Fernandes in a new-look Red Devils midfield in the Ineos era.
“Khephren’s fantastic,” ex-Nice coach Didier Digard tells RMCSport. “He is very hard-working, very attentive. On rest days, he’s at the training centre. He recovers quickly for back-to-back matches and completes high-intensity training.”
Thuram’s impressive availability – he’s started 55 league games in the last two seasons – should also appeal to a Man United side who’s entire squad has been ravished by injuries of lte.
“(Khephren) listens and applies himself. He’s got room for improvement and he’s in demand. He simply eats up video analysis, additional sessions,” Digard added. “He also advises others, because he takes on a leadership role. He’s also discovering himself as a person.”
UnitedinFocus have been told that, in addition to Thuram, Man United could also look to those Ineos connections to bring in his Nice team-mates Melvin Bard and Jean-Clair Todibo.