McGinn would be a game-changing signing for Man Utd

Robin Bairner

• 17 Jan 2022 13:14 CST
• 4 min read

John McGinn might not be one of the most glamorous midfielders in the Premier League, but the Aston Villa certainly is one of the best, as underlined by the current interest of Manchester United.

The Telegraph reports that the Scotland international has emerged as a January signing target for the Red Devils, although Villa are in a strong negotiating position.

While the Birmingham club have spent lavishly this season, notably winning the race to sign Norwich playmaker Emiliano Buendia in the summer, much of this influx has been brought about thanks to the sale of Jack Grealish to Manchester City.

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More might have been expected of the squad that the club has assembled, given they currently lie in the lower half of the Premier League table, level on points with newly promoted Brentford.

Now under the guidance of Steven Gerrard, they are a team in transition, and it would make sense to build their group around midfield dynamo McGinn.

Given that Grealish went for £100 million, the £35m that Villa are reportedly asking for McGinn would represent a bargain.

What McGinn would give to Man Utd

His influence on this Man Utd group would be far more precious than what Grealish has taken to City. After all, his all-round contribution to the team is something that Man Utd are crying out for. There is a lack of dynamism in their ranks, which McGinn can bring to the midfield with his busy style that may lack an aesthetic edge, but certainly does not want for quality.

This is underlined by his contribution to Aston Villa’s cause this season. Not only does he rank in their top three players in terms of Premier League tackles and interceptions, but he is also equally well placed in terms of his chances created and goals plus assists.

Crucially for a player who would be going into a Ralf Rangnick system, he presses extremely well and is one of Villa’s best three players for possession won in the opposition third.

Signing McGinn would be the first major step in the transition towards Rangnick’s goal of playing in a more intense signing and his arrival at Man Utd would be one of the most influential of recent years.

The addition of the Scotsman might lack the fireworks of the deals that secured Jadon Sancho, Raphael Varane and Cristiano Ronaldo in the summer, but there is little doubt that the Glaswegian bundle of energy is someone who could elevate the performances of these players.

Indeed, McGinn to Man Utd for just £35m could prove one of the best pieces of business done by the Old Trafford side in recent years.