Manchester United plot winter swoop for ‘frustrated’ Paris Saint-Germain ace

Manchester United could reportedly offer an escape route to Paris Saint-Germain full-back Thomas Meunier who is frustrated with his situation at Parc des Princes. The Belgium international has received first-team action this term with manager Unai Emery preferring to play veteran Dani Alves on the right side of the backline.

According to The Express, the Red Devils have closely watched the right-back since the start of the campaign, and Jose Mourinho could lodge a potential £30m bid to lure him from the French capital in the New Year.

Meunier was pretty much the first-choice under Emery during the previous season as he managed to make an instant impression following his move from Club Brugge. However, his second year has not paved the same way with just six starts in the French league whilst he has failed to play a single minute in Les Parisiens’ Champions League campaign.

Mourinho’s side have utilised Antonio Valencia as the first-choice right-back over the past few seasons, but there is still the need for an efficient backup with Matteo Darmian struggling to pose much of a threat in the attacking department.

Meunier, formerly a forward in his youth career, has the ability to contribute valuable goals for his side in crunch situations, and he has already made a strong start to the season with three goals in just six appearances for Paris Saint-Germain.

With the World Cup coming along next year, the 26-year-old is desperate to make the Belgian squad, and this is likely to urge him to pursue a fresh challenge where he would at least be guaranteed a regular starting spot in a particular competition for the club.

Mourinho has tended to rest Valencia for the Champions League games this term, and Meunier could prove the perfect fit for the latter stages of the elite competition, provided he does not get Cup-tied by making an appearance in the coming group stage games.

Other than this, it is also suggested that Paris Saint-Germain need to balance their financial books for the 2017/18 season, and Meunier could be one of those sold in January, in order to overcome any hurdles after the signings of Neymar and Kylian Mbappe.

Image – EPA