Man Utd will pursue other targets after negative scout reports on Borussia Monchengladbach midfielder Denis Zakaria, according to reports.
The 25-year-old made two appearances for Switzerland at the European Championships this summer, and is regarded as one of Europe’s most accomplished midfielders.
Gladbach, though, missed out on qualification for European competition by a point last season while they are currently 12th in the Bundesliga this term, and Zakaria is now pushing for a move elsewhere, with numerous clubs linked.
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Zakaria is out of contract in the summer and any move is now likely to be delayed until then but there have been rumours that something could happen in January.
Speculation has surrounded a potential move to Man Utd for months with a report on Wednesday claiming that the Red Devils had submitted an ‘offer’ to the midfielder’s agents.
Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano was less sure about a potential deal after he said a week ago that the Red Devils had made ‘no official bid’ to Gladbach for Zakaria’s services.
And now The Athletic insist that Zakaria ‘has not convinced club [Man Utd] scouts of his long-term suitability even if his transfer value is reduced due to his contract expiring in June’.
The report adds that his ‘form has suffered since sustaining a lengthy injury in 2020’ and they will pursue other targets instead.
RB Leipzig’s Amadou Haidara is one player who Man Utd boss Ralf Rangnick would ‘advocate’ a pursuit of, while Borussia Dortmund’s Jude Bellingham and West Ham’s Declan Rice still remain as their top two central midfield targets.
Zakaria recently informed Gladbach of his decision to not sign a new deal and move elsewhere. A club statement on the official club website said: ‘Denis Zakaria has informed the club of his intention to leave in the summer after five years at Gladbach.’
Meanwhile, Roy Keane thought United’s 2-2 draw against Aston Villa on Saturday was a “fair result” despite the Rangnick’s side throwing away a two-goal lead in the closing stages.
“United get 2-0 in front, you’re thinking it’s game over,” Keane said on Sky Sports. “But then we saw I suppose the weaknesses of United, that lack of control, particularly in midfield.
“To give away a couple of goals will be disappointing but overall you couldn’t begrudge Villa the draw. They showed a lot of bravery in the second half. When you open yourself up against United, you’re thinking they could rip you apart.
“But United weren’t quite at it in terms of the counter attack. I thought [Edinson] Cavani was poor and surprised he left him on for the full game. Just about maybe a fair result.”
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