Manchester United linked with World Cup star who tipped Jadon Sancho to win Ballon d’Or

Manchester United are being linked with an ambitious move for World Cup star Achraf Hakimi.

Teamtalk report Paris Saint-Germain are open to cashing in on Hakimi as they look to reshape their squad.

Manchester United are open to adding a right-back to the squad and the report states the Red Devils are ‘monitoring’ Hakimi’s situation.

It adds: “Hakimi fits the profile for the type of attack-minded full-back ten Hag is keen to add to his squad as he looks to build a side capable of challenging for the Premier League title.”

Achraf Hakimi to Manchester United verdict
It makes perfect sense for Manchester United to ‘monitor’ one of the best right-backs in world football should he become available.

However, right-back is looking like less and less of a priority in comparison to striker, midfield, centre-back and even goalkeeper, thanks to Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s stunning form.

I would be very shocked if this move actually materialised. If United did sign a right-back, the club probably only assign a small transfer budget to the position, due to expenditure in other areas. Hakimi would cost a big price.

A takeover could change this if United’s budget is bigger than we expect. And then there is the Jadon Sancho factor.

Hakimi and Sancho’s strong bond

One incentive to try and sign Hakimi is if United really want to try and get the best out of Jadon Sancho, who he played alongside at Borussia Dortmund.

The pair linked up effectively on the right flank and in 2019, Hakimi even tipped Sancho to one day win the Ballon d’Or.

He told Marca: “In a few years, if he continues at this level, he will be a candidate. For me, he is a spectacular player. We know he is a player who still has to learn and improve because he is very young… but he is very good.”

Sancho is yet to hit those heights at Manchester United, he missed out on a World Cup place with England, and linking up with Hakimi could help him.

In a later interview with Bundesliga.com, Hakimi discussed his close bond with Sancho. He said: “I think you’ve already seen he’s a great player. I’m a big fan of his, of how he plays, how he dribbles, the ease he has when one-on-one.

“He’s still young like me, we’ve got to keep working every day, learn everything we can, and I think if he continues like this then he’s going to have a really good career. As well as being teammates, we get on really well in the changing room and we share a number of things.”