Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag is interested in signing Barcelona full-back Sergino Dest.
The Red Devils, who are undergoing a rebuild under Erik ten Hag, have strengthened their backline with the signings of Tyrell Malacia and Lisandro Martinez from Feyenoord and Ajax respectively, while Christian Eriksen’s addition on a free transfer to their midfield ranks is viewed as a smart piece of business.
Ten Hag, 52, remains in the market for more players as he aims to take Manchester United back into the Champions League. He has made improving the right-back position one of his priorities amidst links with Sergino Dest.
Dest, 21, joined Barcelona from Ajax in 2020 and has gone on to make 72 appearances across all formats in two seasons. The USA international was not a definite first-choice starter for Xavi Hernandez while Dani Alves was there last season, limiting him to just 21 La Liga appearances.
Xavi has made it clear the youngster is surplus to his requirements in his squad and wants to offload the right-back this summer. Barcelona are expecting to sign Chelsea captain Cesar Azpilicueta in the coming weeks, which is set to push Dest further down the pecking order.
Despite two disappointing years at Camp Nou, Dest is in no shortage of suitors with Ten Hag keen to reunite with him at Old Trafford. The Dutch tactician knows Dest very well having trained him during his first season at Ajax and has reportedly demanded the Man United board to sign him, although the Premier League outfit could face competition from Villarreal for the American’s signature.
Man United open to offers for Aaron Wan-Bissaka
Man United are exploring the possibility of signing a new right-back as doubts over Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s future at the club continue.
Wan-Bissaka, 24, has not convinced the fans and critics alike with his performances since swapping Crystal Palace for Man United three years ago. He had a tough 2021/22 and lost his place to Diogo Dalot in the second half of the last campaign under former interim boss Ralf Rangnick.
Things have not changed Ten Hag either, with the 24-year-old failing to convince the new United boss during the recently-concluded pre-season tour of Australia. Certainly, Wan-Bissaka doesn’t offer much going forward to be considered a long-term option at right-back, leaving Dalot currently favoured in that position.
While Ten Hag does not trust either of his current right-backs, there is an acceptance within the Old Trafford ranks that the time could be right to cash in on Wan-Bissaka.
Sergino Dest would fit the billing at Old Trafford
United will intensify their efforts to sign a right-back this summer if they can find a way to clear Wan-Bissaka off their books. This makes Sergino Dest a feasible option, with Ten Hag keen on further improving his backline ahead of the new campaign.
Dest may not have lived up to Barcelona’s high standards in two years but is still very young with his best years ahead of him. Due to his pace, crossing ability, overlapping runs and reliability on the ball, the USA full-back’s dynamic approach fits Ten Hag’s system like a glove. He would be an instant upgrade on Dalot and solve Man United’s problems at right-back for the best part of this decade.
Thus, the Red Devils must go all out to sign Dest from Barcelona.
I am Rohan Sengupta from one of the busiest cities in India, Mumbai. A Journalism graduate with a keen interest in sports, football is something I simply cannot live without and writing, discussing and analyzing the game is what I do 24*7.
