Kieran Trippier makes major decision over proposed Man Utd switch
England right-back Kieran Trippier has reportedly decided to snub Manchester United and remain with LaLiga champions Atletico Madrid this summer.
United have been strongly tipped to bring the defender to Old Trafford to compete with the more defensive-minded Aaron Wan-Bissaka next season. A lack of cover in the position meant that the Red Devils man had to play 54 times in all competitions this term.
Trippier, who joined from Tottenham in 2019, had an excellent second season in Spain with Diego Simeone’s side.
Indeed, the 30-year-old won the first league title of his career. He helped Atletico to fend off Real Madrid and Barcelona to win LaLiga for the first time since 2014.
He played 28 times in the Spanish top-flight this campaign and provided six assists.
That led to talk of a return to the Premier League, with United the main suitors. However, Mundo Deportivo claims that Trippier would rather remain in Madrid next season. The Spanish side are also unwilling to sell.
The news will come as a blow to United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who wanted a more attacking right-back to call upon.
United finished 12 points behind title winners City last season, with 11 draws costing them dear.
Solskjaer also wants a new defensive partner for Harry Maguire, as well as a right-winger and potentially another striker.
Real Madrid’s Raphael Varane and Borussia Dortmund’s Jadon Sancho have been strongly linked with moves.
Subscribe for free to TEAMtalk’s daily newsletter…
Solskjaer wants some fresh faces
Solskjaer has also urged the club’s hierarchy to back him in the transfer window, which opens for English clubs on June 9.
“Of course, we’re planning as we normally do, that’s an ongoing process,” he said after the win over Wolves on the final day of the domestic season.
“We’re looking at the squad and I hope we’re going to strengthen with two or three players [who] we definitely need to challenge higher up in the table. We’re still too far behind to think it’s just going to come by itself.
“We’ve had a few players on loan that might come back in. There is interest in a few others going out. You want to come out of the transfer window strengthened. It’s difficult to say, I can’t see too many outgoings.
“We’re not where we aimed to be. But we’ve got ambitions to move up one place.
“But there’s been steady improvement. Third last season, second this season, some more points. We’ve done really well away from home.
“We know we had a difficult start to the season, losing three of the first six games and loads of them were home games, which put pressure on the team.
“The players have been very, very good.”
READ MORE: Door slams on Man Utd, Chelsea bargain hopes as Spain star stays put
The post Kieran Trippier makes major decision over proposed Man Utd switch appeared first on TEAMtalk.