Manchester United have suffered a blow to their January transfer ambitions after midfield goalkeeper Ayyoub Bouaddi signed a new contract with Ligue 1 club Lille.
It has been a frustrating season so far for Ruben Amorim’s Manchester Untied side.
There have been green shoots and clear signs of improvement, with wins against Liverpool, Chelsea and high-flying Sunderland.
But almost every strong performance was followed by the familiar disappointment of a mediocre defeat.
A 3-0 defeat to Manchester City on derby day was perhaps the most hurtful result.
And it remains abundantly clear that United’s midfield is a major weak point.
Casemiro was Amorim’s best player in midfield, but the 33-year-old Brazilian veteran is in the twilight of his career.
Casemiro is performing excellently this season.
And academy graduate Kobbie Mainoo has seriously fallen out of favor this season.
As a result, United were keen to add depth and quality through the middle.
There have been a number of names in circulation, including Crystal Palace Adam Wharton linked with Unitedalthough a deal seems unlikely.
But it appears they will no longer sign off on one target they were so keen on before the January window.
Manchester United transfer target Bouaddi extends contract
On Monday, French side LOSC Lille announced the contract extension of one of their young top stars.
Eighteen-year-old midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi has signed a new contract with the Ligue 1 club, which runs until 2029.
Tying the France under-21 international to a long-term deal is a coup for Lille.
Bouaddi has been courted by a number of top teams and United, including Premier League leaders Arsenal.
A gifted and technical young midfielder. The youngster’s passing range, vision and ball progression have been crucial for Lille this season.
He has already made 72 appearances for Lille in just 18, including 14 in Ligue 1 this season.
Discussing the extension, Lille president Olivier Letang said: “The extension of Ayyoub’s contract is a very emotional moment for us, given the strong bond we share.
“First and foremost, it is a deep and special human bond.
“Ayyoub is a crucial player in our team.
“Through his values and talent, he embodies the excellence of LOSC’s youth academy, which shapes not only footballers but also men.”
The news of Bouaddi’s new contract is a major blow for Manchester United, who were eyeing a move for the young star.
While a future deal is far from impossible, it is likely to destroy any chance of an imminent transfer.
Manchester United’s midfield options are severely limited
With Bouaddi no longer a realistic option for United, Ruben Amorim’s midfield options remain limited.
As mentioned, Casemiro is the most natural midfielder in the team.
His composure and poise have been crucial to United’s improvement this season.
But his age profile means his days at the highest level are numbered.
Club captain Bruno Fernandes can operate in a deeper role, but his lack of defensive contribution could leave United exposed.
Moreover, there are questions about how to get the best out of him.
Fernandes is on course for legendary status at United, but was not always used optimally.
Some believe Man United captain Bruno Fernandes is lacking in central midfield.
While he is capable of playing in a double turn, many would argue that this wastes his attacking ability.
Manuel Ugarte was signed to fill this role, but he failed to adapt sufficiently to the Premier League.
The Uruguayan has been inconsistent and unreliable, which has pushed him down the pecking order.
And young Kobbie Mainoo looks as close to an exit as he did in the starting lineup.
He has struggled to get game time under Amorim and looks set to leave Old Trafford sooner rather than later.
As a result, United are severely limited in terms of midfield options.
And with this latest news, they’ll have to look elsewhere to find a newcomer – at least for now.
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