After a successful league campaign, Monaco headed into the transfer window with an uphill task of keeping their key players into the next season, players who had caught the eye with stellar performances in the league and in Europe.
However, after losing Bernardo Silva, Mendy, Bakayoko and Germain; they are on the verge of losing two more prominent names in Mbappe and Lemar.
While Real Madrid and PSG tussle to land Mbappe’s signature, Lemar almost seemed certain to call himself a Gunner. But the apparent sluggishness of Arsenal may be capitalized by Manchester United, who have apparently joined in the race for the mercurial Frenchman.
Arsenal’s hesitation to add a few extra numbers to the cheque is seen as the reason for United assuming the driving seat.
If it does go through, where and how will he fit into Jose Mourinho’s side? That’s going to be a difficult question.
Manchester United have hit the ground running in the Premier League with 2 wins in 2 games; and Jose Mourinho stuck with the same time for both games and was rewarded with a 4-0 victory on both occasions. Why would he want to change a winning formula?
Thomas Lemar can contribute to either wing and has an eye for a pass, with 17 assists in all competition. He could also be used as a #10.
They have Mkhitaryan, Mata and Pogba who can fit into the #10 role. Rashford, Lingard, Martial and Mkhitaryan as options down the wing. Where does Mourinho see him fit?
In central midfield, they have Fellaini, Pogba, Matic, Carrick and Herrera. Clearly not a lack of depth issue.
Lemar’s preferred role would be left wing. Rashford and Martial have been used in these last two games and to good effect. Martial seems to be finding his feet again with 2 goals and an assist in just 30 minutes of game time across 2 games. While United have been in the market for a winger, notably Perisic; Lemar offers a completely different dimension in attack.
He offers more invention down the middle, an area where United are considerably stocked. While it will give Mourinho an array of attacking options; this move won’t be the right one for both the player and the club.
With the transfer window due to close in the first week of September; it remains to be seen if Lemar will move at all!
