---
title: "Manchester United: Red Devils may turn attention to Italian centre-back Daniele Rugani"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/manchester-united-red-devils-may-turn-attention-to-italian-centre-back-daniele-rugani/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Uways Nisar"
section: "Manchester United Football Club"
published: "2019-08-02T14:10:18Z"
modified: "2019-08-02T14:10:18Z"
---

# Manchester United: Red Devils may turn attention to Italian centre-back Daniele Rugani

**Manchester United are thinking of turning their attention to Juventus centre-back Daniele Rugani, [according to Gazzetta dello Sport (via Sportsmole).](https://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/man-utd/transfer-talk/news/man-utd-considering-daniele-rugani-swoop_366705.html)**

It is thought that the Old Trafford giants are desperate to sign a centre-back, with [Leicester City’s Harry Maguire](https://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/man-utd/transfer-talk/news/man-utd-considering-daniele-rugani-swoop_366705.html) still the club’s number one target.

However, [Manchester United](https://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/man-utd/transfer-talk/news/man-utd-considering-daniele-rugani-swoop_366705.html) aren’t the only side interested in Rugani, with rivals [Arsenal](https://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/arsenal/transfer-talk/news/arsenal-interested-in-daniele-rugani_366580.html) having reportedly offered to take the player on a two-year loan.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side are already locked in talks with Juventus over a potential swap deal involving [Romelu Lukaku and attacker Paulo Dybala.](https://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/man-utd/transfer-talk/news/man-utd-considering-daniele-rugani-swoop_366705.html)

![](https://cdn.footballtransfertavern.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/THE-BREAKDOWN.png)

Links with Rugani could be put down to three different reasons. The first one is the injury to defender [Eric Bailly](https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/manchester-united-injury-eric-bailly-harry-maguire-transfer-news-rumours-gossip-epl-a9028526.html), who limped off during the club’s pre-season win over Premier League rivals Tottenham Hotspur. The injury is set to keep the Ivorian out of action for up to [five months.](https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/manchester-united-injury-eric-bailly-harry-maguire-transfer-news-rumours-gossip-epl-a9028526.html)

The second is the club’s pursuit of Maguire, who is still being valued at around £85m. It is being reported by [Sky Sports](https://www.skysports.com/transfer/news/11667/11775298/frustrated-harry-maguire-to-miss-leicester-city-friendly-amid-manchester-united-interest) that the Foxes are refusing to budge on their valuation of the England centre-half, with the Manchester United willing to pay £80m.

The third is the club’s poor defensive record during all competitions last season, where the club [conceded 70 goals.](https://www.tablesleague.com/teams/manchester_united12/) This included [54 goals in the Premier League](https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/football/8909198/manchester-united-conceded-most-goals-premier-league-season/), which is a club-record during the Premier League era.

Rugani himself has endured a frustrating time at the Turin-based outfit, having made only [20 appearances in all competitions last season](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/daniele-rugani/leistungsdaten/spieler/162959/plus/0?saison=2018). And with the signing of [Matthijs de Ligt](https://talksport.com/football/574633/matthijs-de-ligt-juventus-sign-ajax/), it is thought the 25-year-old may need to leave to find regular football.

![](https://cdn.footballtransfertavern.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Verdict.png)

A move for Rugani doesn’t necessarily fit the mould of a player Manchester United are trying to sign in the transfer market. The club have spent all summer being linked to British talent, like [Sean Longstaff and Maguire](https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/manchesterunited/man-utd-pushing-for-harry-maguire-and-sean-longstaff-transfers-as-ed-woodward-stays-in-uk-to-get-a4196346.html), as well as having signed [Aaron Wan-Bissaka](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/48784655) and [Daniel James](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/48613872).

As well as not being the right mould, Rugani’s statistical comparisons aren’t too favourable alongside the club’s current central defensive options. Compared to [him](https://www.whoscored.com/Players/116207/Show/Daniele-Rugani), [Chris Smalling, Victor Lindelof and Phil Jones](https://www.whoscored.com/Teams/32/Show/England-Manchester-United) all have more or similar interceptions, tackles, and clearances made per game (via WhoScored).

Rugani doesn’t match the profile of what the club are trying to carry out this summer and has shown he isn’t much better than the current options. So, he should not be signed by the club, who should instead pay the extra [£5m to Leicester for Maguire](https://www.skysports.com/transfer/news/11667/11775298/frustrated-harry-maguire-to-miss-leicester-city-friendly-amid-manchester-united-interest).

***Leicester fans, should the club turn to Rugani if they cannot land Maguire? Tell us what you think in the comment section below!***