Man Utd must sign Frimpong - the Bundesliga’s BEST full-back

Robin Bairner

• Updated: 23 May 2023 09:00 CDT
• 7 min read

Manchester United are set to step up their pursuit of Jeremie Frimpong, who is rated as the best full-back in the Bundesliga this season.

Manager Erik ten Hag has been on the hunt for a right-back since the summer, with Aaron Wan-Bissaka considered surplus to requirements.

Diogo Dalot has outperformed expectations at Old Trafford and is presently the man in command of the spot. Nevertheless, he is in need of competition – and Frimpong, who is on international duty with the Netherlands at the 2022 World Cup, would bring bundles of that.

MORE: Ten Hag to accelerate Frimpong talks

Frimpong a devastating attacking force

The upside of signing Frimpong is clear: he is a brilliant and fearless attacker from deep.

Indeed, data analytics experts SciSports rate Frimpong as the best Bundesliga full-back in terms of dribbling, finishing and offensive positioning so far this season. Meanwhile, he rates third in crossing and is in the middle of the pack in terms of passing and ball retention.

Dalot, meanwhile, does not come among the top 10 in the Premier League full-backs in any of these matrixes.

MORE: 10 players who could join Man Utd in January

Frimpong v Bundesliga full-backs: 2022/23

There is a downside to Frimpong’s game, though, and that comes with his defending. Although he positions himself well, he does not rate well in SciSports’ other categories, leaving a question mark over whether now is the right time to sign him.

At 21, though, he has ample opportunity to improve his game – and the suggestion is that he will.

“When both at peak age, Jeremie Frimpong is expected to outreach the SciSkill level of Diogo Dalot. The chances of this not happening are small,” SciSports report, suggesting that he has the capacity to become a key player for Man Utd in the future.

Among natural right-backs who are aged 21 or under, SciSports believe that only Lyon’s Malo Gusto, Southampton’s Tino Livramento and Stephane Singo of Torino have a higher potential ceiling.

Frimpong at Man Utd

The attacking capabilities that Frimpong would bring to United are mouth-watering, while his defensive deficiencies are something that could be ironed out over the years ahead.

Certainly, he would provide a thrilling alternative when a threat from deep is required, with his dribbling, crossing and offensive positional sense assets that would all benefit the forward players and ease the burden from the creative midfielders, perhaps even helping Jadon Sancho rediscover his best level as he would draw attention away from the winger.