According to Football Transfers, Manchester United is one of four Premier League clubs interested in signing Joao Palhinha in January.

The Portuguese midfielder is thought to be available for €58 million (£50 million) this winter, with the race to sign the Fulham star expected to intensify up.

His heart is set on a move to Germany after a deal with Bayern Munich fell through in the summer, but he could stay in England due to interest from English clubs.

Palhinha has developed into one of the Premier League’s greatest defensive midfielders since joining Fulham last season. This season, the Portugal international has appeared 14 times for the Cottagers in the Premier League, helping them move to 11th place.

The 28-year-old is a destroyer whose game revolves around winning the ball and stopping the opposition. It’s little surprise he’s been dubbed a “defensive monster” by statistics and video expert Marcus Bring.

United are desperate for a dominant midfielder who can stop transitions and regain control of the team, and with Kobbie Mainoo – who has been dubbed “unbelievable” by club legend Roy Keane – performing like an experienced professional despite being only 18 years old, Ten Hag will be looking for someone to partner the wonderkid.

Sofyan Amrabat, his current midfield teammate, has struggled since going to England, and here is how the Moroccan compares to Palhinha based on figures from the 2023/24 Premier League season.

The Fulham midfielder is clearly more dominant in the middle of the field and would be an upgrade over the on-loan Fiorentina player, who uses his long legs to cover territory, make challenges, and intercept passes.

He would be the ideal companion for Mainoo, relieving him of some defensive tasks and allowing his inventiveness to thrive. The duo are both incredibly athletic and physical, making United a difficult team to play against – something they are not today.

The one drawback of Palhinha’s game is that he is regularly cautioned, which limits his availability; he has already been booked seven times this season. However, he is rarely injured, so if he is not suspended, he will most likely be able to play.

Overall, Palhinha would improve the Red Devils midfield and help Mainoo develop into a star. They check every box required for a balanced and efficient midfield unit as a duo, thus the move would be a no-brainer!