Coleman to Man United talk instensifies after fine Man City show
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Having lost John Stones to Manchester City in the summer, Everton could be set to lose another of their star defenders to a Manchester club, with United reportedly growing evermore keen in snapping up Seamus Coleman.
The right-back shone again for the Toffees as they held Pep Guardiola’s Citizens to a 1-1 draw at the Etihad on Saturday.
And reports from the Irish Independent today suggest Coleman is increasingly viewed by Jose Mourinho as the solution to his right-back problems.
The Killybegs native has been on United’s radar since 2013 when former Everton boss David Moyes – the man who signed Coleman from Sligo Rovers – became manager at the Theatre of Dreams.
Antonio Valencia has been Mourinho’s de facto right-back this season – missing just 28 minutes of Premier League action – but few would argue the Ecuador international is of the calibre required in that role.
Meanwhile, Matteo Darmian’s Old Trafford career looks over already.
Coleman isn’t the only man in the frame to become United’s long-term fix however, with Monaco’s Fabinho believed by many sections of the press to be Jose’s first-choice.
The Brazilian has become an integral part of the Ligue 1 side across the last three seasons – breaking into the national fold too – and at 22, is much younger than 28-year-old Coleman.
Both players are valued around £14m on transfermarkt.co.uk, but while Fabinho’s contract ties him to the French Riviera until 2021, Coleman’s Everton deal will run out in 2019.
United’s need for right-back improvements could be exposed again tonight, when Mourinho leads his team to Anfield to face Jurgen Klopp’s marauding Liverpool.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing
