Man Utd rue Jeremie Frimpong error

Cameron Smith

1 Nov 2024 15:00 CDT
3 min read

Manchester United reportedly turned down the chance to sign Bayer Leverkusen star Jeremie Frimpong this summer.

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The Netherlands international has been heavily linked with an Old Trafford switch for several years, but the Red Devils opted against completing a deal due to his €40 million release clause.

Instead, INEOS spent €15m on Bayern Munich defender Noussair Mazraoui in an attempt to keep costs to a minimum, according to Christian Falk.

He told CaughtOffside: “Alphonso Davies wants a minimum of €15m a season and a sign-on fee of around the same amount. I’m not sure if [Manchester] United are willing to pay this money.

“You see when they brought in Noussair Mazraoui he was a really cheap option. I know that their first option would have been Jeremie Frimpong but he was too expensive. I’m not sure if they want to spend so much money on a left-back.”

Erik ten Hag is believed to have been a major contributing factor in Man Utd’s move for the Mazraoui, with the Dutchman eager to secure a reunion with his former Ajax pupil.

However, Ten Hag has now been sacked and Man Utd could come to regret their decision of signing Mazraoui over Frimpong following the arrival of Ruben Amorim.

© IMAGO - Noussair Mazraoui joined Man Utd this summer

Why Man Utd will regret Jeremie Frimpong error

While Frimpong’s attacking tendencies wouldn’t have suited Ten Hag’s 4-2-3-1 formation, he would’ve been a perfect fit in Amorim’s wing-back system.

The 23-year-old notched 26 goals and assists in all competitions for Bayer Leverkusen last season, with his speed causing chaos down Xabi Alonso’s right flank.

Given Amorim’s reliance on creativity from out wide, Frimpong would have been the perfect option on the right-hand side.

However, Man Utd’s latest head coach will be forced to make do with Mazroaui and Diogo Dalot until at least the January transfer window.