How Would Kim Min-Jae Improve Manchester United’s Defence?

Napoli created history by winning their first Serie A title since 1990 this season with Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Victor Osimhen new icons for the Italian club. Kim Min-jae has also become something of a superstar since making the move to the Stadio Diego Armanda Maradona from Fenerbahce last year. It’s no wonder the South Korean has admirers.

Manchester United have been strongly linked with Kim as Erik Ten Hag looks to strengthen his squad this summer. United already have the likes of Raphael Varane, Lisandro Martinez, Victor Lindelof and Harry Maguire at the club, but Kim has been targeted to add more steel to the Old Trafford side.

Kim has been compared to former Manchester United centre back Nemanja Vidic in the way he plays the game. The 26-year-old is a strong physical presence and has become the bedrock of Luciano Spalletti’s Serie A-winning Napoli team very quickly this season. Very few defenders have got past Kim this term.

Of course, United’s greatest need this summer will be for a new number nine. Cristiano Ronaldo, Anthony Martial and Wout Weghorst have all played in this position for Ten Hag this season, but none have made the role their own with Ronaldo no longer at Old Trafford. Osimhen and Harry Kane are believed to be options. This is where United will funnel the majority of their resources.

However, reinforcements will also be needed in other areas and the recent injuries to Martinez and Varane have exposed just how dependent Manchester United are on their first-choice centre back pairing. Indeed, their form has taken a real dip since the duo were sidelined until the end of the season.

Physically, Kim would have no trouble handling the demands of the Premier
PINC
League and the South Korean international is also strong enough on the ball to give Ten Hag what he wants in terms of progression out from the back. The capture of the 26-year-old would prevent United from suffering another drop-off in the event of injuries.

It should also be noted that Varane is now 30 years old and so Manchester United might well be thinking of a succession plan for the French defender. Varane still has plenty left in the tank, but the best-run clubs don’t want for their most important players to suffer decline before lining up their replacement.

United find themselves at a critical juncture in the early days of Ten Hag’s tenure as manager. The Dutchman has undoubtedly put in place the building blocks for success, but more quality is needed for the Old Trafford outfit to make genuine strides forward next season. The signing of Kim would tick a lot of boxes.