BREAKING NEWS: LIVE FROM OLD TRAFFORD – MANCHESTER UNITED HAS REACHED AN AGREEMENT TO SIGN OUSMANE DIOMANDE. HOWEVER, THE PLAYER HAS EXPRESSED HIS DESIRE NOT TO JOIN THE CLUB, STATING THAT HE DOES NOT CONSIDER MANCHESTER UNITED A MAJOR TEAM IN ENGLAND. DIOMANDE PREFERS TO PLAY FOR MANCHESTER CITY TO COMPETE FOR TITLES.”

Despite ending the season with an FA Cup victory, it is undeniable that Manchester United did not have a particularly successful season overall. Injuries significantly affected Erik ten Hag’s squad, but their eighth-place finish in the Premier League was warranted. Their offensive struggles were evident with just the ninth-best attack in the league, and defensively, they were equally troubled, conceding 58 goals—29 more than second-placed Arsenal.This disappointing performance highlights the substantial work Sir Jim Ratcliffe and the Manchester United management must undertake this summer. However, there are encouraging signs that they are heading in the right direction. The latest transfer target, Ousmane Diomande from Sporting CP, appears to be a promising long-term partner for Lisandro Martínez.

### Manchester United’s Transfer News
According to a recent report from Portuguese outlet A Bola, Manchester United is among several clubs interested in signing Ivorian international Ousmane Diomande this summer. Other clubs reportedly in the race include Liverpool, Arsenal, and Newcastle. However, United has supposedly prioritized Diomande as a replacement for Raphaël Varane, who recently announced his departure from the club. Sporting CP has set the transfer fee for Diomande at around €50 million to €60 million (approximately £43 million to £51 million), a price that could be justified given the player’s potential.

Securing Diomande’s signature may be challenging, but with Varane’s exit, Manchester United urgently needs a new long-term defensive partner for Martínez. Diomande might be the ideal candidate.
## Why Diomande Would Be the Ideal Partner for Martínez

Described by data analyst Ben Mattinson as a “hybrid between Gabriel and Saliba,” Diomande possesses qualities that make him a fitting partner for Martínez in the coming years. Here are a few reasons why Diomande would be a perfect addition to Manchester United’s defense:1. **Preferred Foot**: Diomande is primarily right-footed, which would complement the left-footed Martínez and create a more balanced backline.

2. **Impressive Statistics**: Diomande’s performance metrics compare favorably with United’s current defenders. For instance, he has higher non-penalty expected goals and assists, more progressive passes, more shot-creating actions, and better passing accuracy than both Martínez and Varane. Additionally, he miscontrols the ball less frequently and wins more aerial duels. 3. **Physical Presence**: Standing at 6 feet 3 inches, Diomande’s stature would provide a significant aerial advantage, addressing one of the potential vulnerabilities due to Martínez’s shorter height. As Antonio Mango, an U23 scout, describes, Diomande is the “perfect blend of a modern-day centre-back and a no-nonsense centre-back.”

### Statistical Comparison

Comparing the key statistics of Diomande, Martínez, and Varane from their respective recent seasons highlights Diomande’s potential:

| Stats per 90 | Diomande | Martínez (22/23) | Varane |
|————–|———-|——————|——–|
| Non-Penalty Expected Goals + Assists | 0.09 | 0.03 | 0.09 |
| Goals | 0.09 | 0.04 | 0.07 |
| Progressive Passes | 5.15 | 3.53 | 3.86 |
| Progressive Carries | 0.94 | 0.51 | 1.05 |
| Passing Accuracy | 91.6% | 87.0% | 88.9% |
| Shot-Creating Actions | 1.15 | 0.77 | 1.05 |
| Tackles Won | 1.02 | 1.19 | 0.72 |
| Tackles + Interceptions | 2.30 | 3.70 | 2.16 |
| Blocks | 0.47 | 2.17 | 1.50 |
| Miscontrols | 0.38 | 0.47 | 0.39 |
| Ball Recoveries | 5.62 | 6.98 | 4.38 |
| Aerial Duels Won | 2.00 | 1.36 | 1.37 |

These statistics indicate that Diomande not only matches but often surpasses his potential teammates and predecessor in critical defensive and offensive metrics.

### Conclusion

While there is always an inherent risk in signing players from leagues outside the top five European leagues, Diomande’s performance, underlying numbers, and physical attributes make him a strong candidate to be Lisandro Martínez’s long-term defensive partner at Manchester United. Given his age and the positive assessments from scouts and analysts, securing Diomande could be a strategic move that significantly strengthens United’s defense for years to come. Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his team appear to be making prudent decisions in their pursuit of new talent, signaling a promising future for Manchester United.Manchester United’s recent season, despite ending on a high note with an FA Cup victory, fell short of overall success, highlighted by an eighth-place finish in the Premier League. This underwhelming performance can be attributed to a mixture of offensive struggles and defensive vulnerabilities. The Red Devils managed just the ninth-best attack and conceded 58 goals, significantly more than second-placed Arsenal.

The task ahead for Sir Jim Ratcliffe and the Manchester United management is substantial. They need to address both the defensive and offensive frailties that plagued their campaign. One of the encouraging signs is their interest in strengthening the defense with the potential signing of Ousmane Diomande from Sporting CP.

### Transfer Target: Ousmane Diomande

Portuguese outlet A Bola has reported Manchester United’s interest in Diomande, who is also on the radar of Liverpool, Arsenal, and Newcastle. Diomande is seen as a potential replacement for Raphaël Varane, who has recently announced his departure from the club. Sporting CP values Diomande between €50 million to €60 million (approximately £43 million to £51 million).

### Why Diomande Would Be Ideal for Manchester United

**Complementary Skills and Attributes**:
– **Preferred Foot**: Diomande is primarily right-footed, complementing the left-footed Lisandro Martínez and providing balance to the backline.
– **Physical Presence**: At 6 feet 3 inches, Diomande offers significant aerial strength, compensating for Martínez’s shorter stature. His blend of modern and traditional defending styles, as highlighted by scout Antonio Mango, makes him a versatile and robust addition.

**Impressive Statistics**:
– Diomande’s performance metrics stand out when compared to Martínez and Varane. His higher non-penalty expected goals and assists, more progressive passes, and better passing accuracy are significant improvements. He also wins more aerial duels and miscontrols the ball less frequently.

### Statistical Comparison

Here’s a detailed comparison of key statistics per 90 minutes between Diomande, Martínez, and Varane:

| Stats per 90 | Diomande | Martínez (22/23) | Varane |
|————–|———-|—————–|——–|
| Non-Penalty Expected Goals + Assists | 0.09 | 0.03 | 0.09 |
| Goals | 0.09 | 0.04 | 0.07 |
| Progressive Passes | 5.15 | 3.53 | 3.86 |
| Progressive Carries | 0.94 | 0.51 | 1.05 |
| Passing Accuracy | 91.6% | 87.0% | 88.9% |
| Shot-Creating Actions | 1.15 | 0.77 | 1.05 |
| Tackles Won | 1.02 | 1.19 | 0.72 |
| Tackles + Interceptions | 2.30 | 3.70 | 2.16 |
| Blocks | 0.47 | 2.17 | 1.50 |
| Miscontrols | 0.38 | 0.47 | 0.39 |
| Ball Recoveries | 5.62 | 6.98 | 4.38 |
| Aerial Duels Won | 2.00 | 1.36 | 1.37 |

Diomande’s statistics demonstrate his strong potential, often surpassing Martínez and Varane in critical areas. His ability to contribute to both defense and offense is notable, making him an ideal candidate to bolster Manchester United’s defense.

### Conclusion

While signing players from leagues outside the top five European leagues carries inherent risks, Ousmane Diomande’s performance metrics, physical attributes, and positive assessments from scouts suggest he could be a valuable long-term partner for Lisandro Martínez. His addition could be a strategic move to solidify Manchester United’s defense. If Sir Jim Ratcliffe and the management secure his signature, it would be a promising step toward rebuilding and fortifying the team for future challenges.