Express. Home of the Daily and Sunday Express.
Man Utd transfer news: Sky Sports pundit makes worrying Jerome Boateng prediction
JEROME BOATENG may NOT be a regular starter for Manchester United if he joins before the transfer window shuts this Thursday.
That is the opinion of Sky Sports pundit and former West Ham striker Dean Ashton.
Boateng has emerged as target for Manchester United in the last 24 hours.
United boss Jose Mourinho is keen on bringing in a new centre-back and is also interested in Tottenham’s Toby Alderweireld and Leicester star Harry Maguire.
Boateng would be allowed to leave Bayern Munich and could be the cheaper of the three targets.
I think in the last couple of seasons he’s been really, really poor, I think he had a terrible World Cup as well
But Ashton does not think the Germany international has been at the top of his game for a number of years and doubts he is better than what United currently have at the club.
“I don’t see it, I honestly don’t see it,” he said.
“I think Jose Mourinho prides himself on his defence and his defensive centre-backs.
“I think in the last couple of seasons he’s been really, really poor, I think he had a terrible World Cup as well.
Germany's Jerome Boateng shows off his training regime
“So it would very much surprise me if this did come off and where he would actually fit in and whether he would actually start.
“Possibly (it’s a panic), maybe a backup almost to their top targets, and I think they’ve got other top targets like Alderweireld and like Harry Maguire, who I’d put straight away ahead of Jerome Boateng.
“In the World Cup and recent seasons, I think he’s been atrocious at times with his defending.
“So I think this week is going to be very interesting to see whether any of them get over the line."
Boateng has won the Bundesliga six times since joining Bayern from Manchester City in 2011.