Official: MUFC agree land Solskjaer 2.0 in move for £43m "assassin", he's a "predator in the box"

MUFC can land Solskjaer 2.0 in move for £43m "assassin", he's a "predator in the box"

Manchester United will be on red alert after hearing that one of their top offensive targets hailed the Premier League as the premium division in European football, amid heated interest in his services.

In comments cited by The Independent after Canada crashed out of the World Cup in the group stage, LOSC Lille striker Jonathan David lauded the “best league in the world”, suggesting that he would like to play in England someday.

When asked about the interest in his services, the 22-year-old said: “I am aware of nothing (interest in him).

“When I am at the World Cup I am just focused on trying to enjoy the World Cup and enjoying the moment, and what happens after I do not know, we will have to see.

“The Premier League is the best league in the world and I think every player would want to play there someday.”

With United reportedly interested in the player since last season, a move could certainly be revisited in the coming weeks, as the anticipation before the January transfer window increases, magnified by the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

And with reports from France reaffirming the club’s stance in recent weeks, there truly could soon be a new centre-forward in Manchester ready to take the division by storm.

With United’s offensive edge looking oiled and refined, David could enter the fold and have an instant impact at Old Trafford, with his sharpshooting prowess and slick movement going in tandem with the style that the support at this esteemed club demands.

But with the acrimonious departure of Cristiano Ronaldo last month, the club are in need of firepower up front, with Marcus Rashford’s eight strikes this term doubling anyone else in Ten Hag’s squad.

Solskjaer might not have enjoyed the most fruitful spell as United manager – averaging a mere 1.79 points per game during his tenure as the Red Devils’ permanent boss – but he was certainly a resounding success as a player of the club, netting 126 goals and serving 50 assists in 366 appearances and winning a plethora of major honours, including the Champions League.

Like the Norwegian, David is a “predator in the box” – as heralded by football writer Austin Ditlhobolo – and would flourish with the likes of creative maestros such as Bruno Fernandes behind him.

The “beast” – as dubbed by Gregg Evans – would certainly be capable of providing a devastating impact within Ten Hag’s team, with his goal record simply sublime.

With 41 goals and eight assists across 111 appearances in total for Lille, and a remarkable 22 in 37 for his national side, the “silent assassin” is well on the way to becoming a lethal presence at the forefront of the game.

And with nine goals and three assists in 15 appearances for Lille this season, David is proving that he is improving with the turn of each season.

As per FBref, he ranks within the top 10% for pass completion of forwards in Europe’s big five leagues over the past year, an indication that he can contribute effectively in the offensive manoeuvres, which would serve Ten Hag and his free-flowing philosophy well.

With his club asking for £43m, he will not come cheap, but should Man Utd snap him up, he could slowly be integrated into the fold and prosper as an offensive demon for years to come, taking a page out of Solskjaer’s book and taking the league by storm.