June 15th 2024.
According to former Manchester United player Paul Ince, the club should consider making a move for Joao Palhinha. Ince believes that Palhinha, who currently plays for Fulham, would be an excellent long-term replacement for Casemiro in United's midfield.
Last year, it seemed like Palhinha was on the verge of joining Bayern Munich, but the deal fell through at the last minute. He ended up signing a contract extension with Fulham, but there are now rumors swirling that he could be on his way to Bayern or another top club. Fulham is reportedly willing to sell Palhinha, but they are demanding a hefty fee of £90 million.
Ince, who is a big fan of Palhinha, thinks he would be a perfect fit for United's midfield under manager Erik ten Hag. "He gets about the park, he can pass, he can tackle, he's strong," Ince said in an interview with Bet365. "He's got everything you need to be a success at Manchester United and I hope they hijack a move."
However, Ince acknowledges that it is important for United to have a cohesive midfield unit, and he is not sure who would play alongside Palhinha in the team. "The only question is about the players you put alongside him," he said. "That's always the toughest thing because I think to be a good player, you've got to play with good players."
In addition to Palhinha, United has also been linked with Everton's Jarrad Branthwaite. The young defender had a breakout season with the Toffees, earning a call-up to the England national team in March. However, he did not make the final squad for Euro 2024.
Ince is impressed with Branthwaite's progress but believes United should also consider signing a more experienced player at the back. "He's made great strides in such a short space of time, so I think a move to Manchester United is a possibility," Ince said. "But the problem is that United have signed players in the past that have had one good season."
Furthermore, Ince emphasizes the mental toughness required to play for a club like Manchester United. "You don't understand what it takes to be a Manchester United player," he said. "Some players have been there, who aren't bad players, who just can't deal with the atmosphere and the environment of playing for Manchester United and what the fans expect week in and week out."
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