Strikers, as has always been the case, continue to dominate the headlines.
Whether they score a last-minute winner, sell more shirts or earn the most cash, stardom has always followed attackers more than defenders. Manchester United’s transfer rumours do little to dispel that truth.
While talk has centred around potential moves for Harry Kane, Victor Osimhen et al, all roads point towards a new centre-back arriving at Old Trafford as well. Reports have linked the Red Devils to two defenders: Kim Min-jae and Axel Disasi.
The former, believed to have a £45million buyout clause, has emerged as a standout performer for Napoli this season. Min-jae helped Napoli clinch their first Serie A title in over 30 years and made former dominating defender Kalidou Koulibaly a distant memory for the Gli Azzurri faithful.
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Disasi, on the other hand, is a rare highlight in an otherwise underwhelming campaign for Monaco. The Frenchman started every Ligue 1 game as his side finished sixth - missing out on a European place while heightening talk about a potential move.
Should Harry Maguire head for the Old Trafford exit then United will almost certainly be on the hunt for a new defender. But who should they sign? If the statistics provide any indication, there should only be one winner…
On the goalscoring front, Disasi comes out on top - albeit marginally - with three goals slightly edging out Min-jae’s total (two). However, Ten Hag will not be signing any of these as a number nine - and the South Korean dominates the defensive figures.
Napoli conceded just 24 goals in 35 games with Min-jae in the team throughout 2022-23, a total that provided the backbone of their Serie A league-winning campaign. By contrast, Monaco shipped in goals for fun, conceding 56 in 38 when Disasi featured.
But, you may ask, are those stats skewered by Napoli being the superior side? Well, on a personal level, Min-jae also dominates.
The 26-year-old averaged 1.7 tackles per 90 minutes this season, considerably higher than Disasi (0.9 per game). Min-jae also made more clearances (3.6 per game) and won more aerial duels (2.8 per game) than his counterpart.
As United fans are aware, Ten Hag adopts a style that prefers playing out from the back - a given in the modern game. For that to work, the Red Devils must have centre-backs capable of passing the ball from deep.
And, once again, there can only be one winner. Min-jae averaged an impressive 91 percent pass completion throughout Napoli’s title-winning season. By contrast, Disasi managed just 83.8 percent, shining a light on his limited skills in possession.
At £45million, Man United should be busting the gut to make Min-jae a key transfer priority. With Disasi valued at £10million cheaper, paying that little bit extra - for a proven league winner - will be justified in the long run and inch Ten Hag closer towards that elusive Premier League title.
A Manchester Evening News special souvenir edition - Fergie's First - charts United's 1992/93 title-winning campaign and you can get your hands on one here
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