Manchester United’s season is almost at an end, and then speculation over the team’s potential new signings will really kick on.
One player who fans would prefer not to see on the list of potential targets is Bayer Leverkusen defender Jeremie Frimpong.
Frimpong has consistently been linked with a move to Manchester United, since late 2022, with the defender said to be keen on a move to the club.
The attacking numbers he has put up for Bayer Leverkusen are remarkable, 14 goals this season and seven assists.
It’s rare for a right-back to put up those kind of numbers. But that’s the curious thing. Frimpong does not actually play as a right-back for Leverkusen.
Instead he operates as a wing-back and is often high up the pitch like a winger. Expecting him to come and play right-back in Manchester United’s back four, would not be an easy fit.
Bayer Leverkusen lose unbeaten season
Xabi Alonso’s Bayer Leverkusen have enjoyed an incredible season. They won the Bundesliga while going unbeaten, into the German Cup final to be played this coming weekend, and were unbeaten all the way up to the Europa League final.
Their attempt to win a third trophy came up short against a well-organised and sharp Atalanta team, with Ademola Lookman scoring a match-winning hat-trick.
Frimpong was playing high up the pitch, nowhere to be seen at right-back when Lookman completed his hat-trick from the left wing.
Former United prospect Matej Kovar was an unfortunate bystander in goal, unable to do much about Lookman’s efforts.
Frimpong performance criticised
Frimpong ended up playing as a forward for much of the match, leaving his defence exposed as Leverkusen pushed forward in search of goals.
And this left Manchester United fans absolutely convinced that the Dutchman should not be a transfer target at right-back.
One fan on X wrote: “I’m sorry but Frimpong cannot be playing as a RB for us. I’m seeing him higher than the ST sometimes.”
Another warned: “If United get Frimpong we are doomed.”
These comments were echoed: “Frimpong is not a RB! United need to stop misprofiling the targets. He won’t work in this system at all and he himself should be smart enough to stay away.”
A fourth fan wrote: “I’m sorry but Manchester United cannot sign Frimpong.”
One fan admitted that watching the game had made him change his mind on the Leverkusen star.
They wrote: “I take back what I said about Frimpong. There’s a player there but he offers nothing to this current United side.”
Another was thankful, insistent he had been warning about this, commenting: “I will say it for 100th time Frimpong is not the player United fans think he is. There are 1000+ better right back options in the market and for 34M no thank you.”
These views were further backed, with one fan adding: “United should not buy Frimpong. The guy just isn’t a right back.”
While another added: “Anyone that wants Frimpong to United doesn’t know ball this is not a RB.”
Could United upgrade on Aaron Wan-Bissaka and provide competition for Diogo Dalot? Yes. But there are clearly serious doubts that Frimpong is worth spending big money on.