Southampton’s ex-manager Russell Martin has provided the perfect message for Ruben Amorim about Manchester United summer target Tyler Dibling.
Manchester United are looking to improve Ruben Amorim’s squad with several signings when the summer transfer window opens.
The Portuguese coach has struggled since taking charge at Old Trafford and there are several priority positions the club believe have to be strengthened.
One of those positions is the two split no.10s which are crucial roles in Amorim’s system. There aren’t many players in the current squad who look entirely comfortable there.
Tyler Dibling has been heavily linked as one option United are considering for that position and the youngster is also of interest to many other Premier League clubs.
Martin sends Amorim the perfect Dibling message
Dibling, 19, has emerged as one of the most exciting talents in England this season after breaking through into the Southampton first-team under Russell Martin.
Martin, who has since been sacked, has been speaking about Dibling’s talents on the Stick To Football podcast with Gary Lineker and delivered the perfect message to Amorim about his summer target.
After praising the teenager as an “incredible” talent, Martin explained that Dibling’s long-term position is more central as a no.8 or no.10 – despite having mostly played on the wings for the Saints.
“Tyler has every capability to go and play for England and at a top level for a very long time,” the 39-year-old stated.
“He’s powerful, he’s really quick, both feet, can shoot. I worked with Harry Kane and physically the stuff I’ve seen him do at 18 in the Premier League with people just bouncing off him – he has something I’ve not seen in a British player in a long time.
“He’ll play as a No.8 or a No.10 eventually, but he’s 18 so we played him out wide and he was incredible. He can play wide, we played him as a false nine in pre-season and he was our best player.”
Dibling could suit Amorim’s system perfectly
It appears that Dibling could be a perfect option to play in those split no.10 roles if he makes the move to Old Trafford.
The attributes needed for those positions are quite mixed between natural central players – who like to receive on the half-turn and drive with the ball while being cute in possession – and the spark provided from a winger, who can take on a man and deliver in the final third.
It seems like quite a unique skillset but Dibling is one of those players who can operate in both zones – similarly to Amad – and that may help him settle into the position if he joins.
Of course, the question about the final third product must also be asked as Dibling’s numbers this season aren’t good enough for what this United side need.
But context also needs to be added, as the teenager has been playing in one of the worst Premier League teams of recent memory.
In the end, Martin’s comments suggest that Dibling could be great for that position Amorim wants to improve in and if the money is right, it makes sense for United to look for a deal.
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