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Man Utd-linked Frimpong ´a joy´ like Alexander-Arnold, says Berbatov

SoccerNews in General Soccer News 19 Apr 2023

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Reported Manchester United target Jeremie Frimpong is similar to Trent Alexander-Arnold in the way he “bravely” attacks but “forgets that he needs to defend”.

That is according to Dimitar Berbatov, who played for both United and Frimpong’s current club Bayer Leverkusen.

Reports this week have suggested United manager Erik ten Hag is particularly keen on the right-back, having this season rotated between using Diogo Dalot and Aaron Wan-Bissaka in that role.

Frimpong has scored eight goals in the Bundesliga this season, the most of any defender across Europe’s top five leagues, while only Raphael Guerreiro can match his 14 goal involvements.

Dalot has a goal and two assists in the Premier League, while Wan-Bissaka has not contributed to a single goal.

Frimpong also ranks first among defenders for touches in the opposition box (118) and second for chances created from open play (41).

In the latter category, he is joined in the top 10 by Liverpool’s Alexander Arnold (35), and Berbatov sees similarities between the two – at both ends of the pitch.

“He is someone who reminds me of Trent Alexander Arnold, because he is primarily an attacking full-back and sometimes he forgets that he needs to defend as well,” Berbatov, speaking on behalf of Enterprise Rent-A-Car, told Stats Perform.

“But the way he’s playing, bravely going up the pitch, attacking, running, assisting and scoring goals, it’s a joy for me to watch, to be honest.

“Yes, I say it in the form of a joke, but he needs to work a bit more on his defensive part of the game.

“But he’s very young, he has a bright future in my mind, and I think some of the big clubs will come up to him, for sure.”

Alexander-Arnold has been widely criticised for his defensive work, with that scrutiny increasing in a difficult season for Liverpool.

However, he played a hybrid midfield role on Monday against Leeds United and provided two assists in a 6-1 win.

Meanwhile, Frimpong has played every game for a Leverkusen side who have conceded 41 goals in the Bundesliga, the joint-most in the top half of the table.

Dimitar Berbatov and Ben Foster featured in Enterprise Rent-A-Car’s 2022/23 UEFA Europa League campaign content, Mission Masterclass’. You can view episode one in full https://youtu.be/XTCqaMGIvyI

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