Nordi Mukiele has reportedly emerged as the latest player to be linked with a move to Manchester United after the appointment of Ralf Rangnick.
According to 90 min, Manchester United have identified Nordi Mukiele as a potential target for the upcoming January transfer window. It appears their newly-appointed interim coach Ralf Rangnick is keen on shoring up the club’s defensive options, especially in the right-back department.
Mukiele is thought to be the desired option for Rangnick, who wants to bring back a host of players he has worked with in the past. In the case of the RB Leipzig defender, the 24-year-old was brought in by the German back in 2018 for a fee of around €16 million.
The Frenchman spent the entirety of the 2018/19 campaign under the coaching of Rangnick, making 19 Bundesliga appearances. He notably made a solid impression during the final phase of the campaign, leading to a more prominent role for him in the Leipzig team under new coach Julian Nagelsmann.
Since joining from Montpellier, Mukiele has featured in 126 competitive matches for Die Roten Bullen. Although a right-back by trade, he has impressed the onlookers with his ability to play as a centre-back, especially in a back three. Alternatively, the 24-year-old can operate as an attacking wing-back and is very familiar with Leipzig’s brand of high-octane, counter-attacking football.
Manchester United’s interest in the Frenchman stems from Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s difficult start to the campaign. The former Crystal Palace defender has struggled to produce consistent performances, offering very little in attack while making numerous defensive errors.
Manchester United have Diogo Dalot as a potential alternative. But the Portuguese international is not very highly-rated at the club and could be on the verge of a January exit from Old Trafford, amid interest from AS Roma.
As a result, the Red Devils have set their sights on Nordi Mukiele. The RB Leipzig defender offers much more tactical versatility and has the experience of working under Rangnick in the past with Bundesliga giants RB Leipzig. With Manchester United likely to shift to a more counter-attacking style of football, the 24-year-old Frenchman could prove to be a smart investment for the club.
Mukiele is not the only RB Leipzig player Manchester United are targeting, though, as Rangnick has also expressed a desire to sign midfielder Amadou Haidara in January. Perhaps more shockingly, the men in red could be in contention to sign Chelsea forward Timo Werner as well, with Rangnick reportedly keen on the German international who has worked with him in the past.