da apostaganha： [ad_pod ]
da lvbet： This article is part of Football FanCast’s In Numbers series, which takes a statistical look at performances, season-long form and reported transfer targets…
After a summer in which Manchester United’s only signings were Daniel James, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Harry Maguire, the club are naturally on the look-out for further reinforcements.
Already speculation has suggested the Red Devils are readying themselves for a big-money swoop for Borussia Dortmund sensation Jadon Sancho next year, and reports in recent weeks have claimed Maguire’s former teammate at Leicester, James Maddison, is also on United’s radar.
Watch Manchester United Live Streams With StreamFootball.tv Below
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side got a first-hand look at the midfielder on Saturday, and the 22-year-old’s all-action display proved exactly why United simply have to pull out all the stops to bring him to Old Trafford.
When you think of Maddison’s natural position, it is easy to think of him being a central attacking midfielder. After all, out of his 38 games last season, 18 of them came in that number ten role. But this season under Brendan Rodgers he has operated more from the left-hand side.
The England U21 international lined up in front of Ben Chilwell on the flank, and no doubt the idea behind that was for him to drift inside and play balls in behind the United defence for Jamie Vardy to latch on to. Whilst the Red Devils’ rearguard held firm, Maddison still had a highly influential game for his side.
Per Whoscored, his 11 crosses were a game-high (and seven more than any other player on the pitch), whilst his five dribbles were also the most of anyone during the game.
The former Norwich man embraced the responsibility of being Leicester’s key provider, and when things didn’t appear to work out too well in that regard, he tried to take matters into his own hands by registering three shots.
Off-the-ball, the 22-year-old was equally as effective. Solskjaer’s intent on implementing a high-intensity approach that revolves around pressing from the front requires players who are willing to put the work in. Maddison showed he is perfectly capable of buying into that philosophy by making four tackles – the joint-second highest of any of his teammates.
All in all, the midfielder highlighted everything he has in his locker. If Saturday’s game was a transfer audition for a future switch to Old Trafford, then he undoubtedly passed it with flying colours.