- Manchester United eye up Leeds United midfielder
- Ao Tanaka dominated United in their recent fixture
- Tanaka draws interest from other Premier League sides
Manchester United are looking to bolster their midfield this summer, and have reportedly begun keeping tabs on Leeds United star Ao Tanaka.
The Japanese midfielder recently featured against United, completely dominating a midfield which consisted of Manuel Ugarte and Casemiro. In that dissapointing 2-1 defeat, he played 74 minutes, made four key passes, carried the ball 11 times for 94.9 metres, and made six defensive contributions.
Going up against a five-time UEFA Champions League winner and former Paris Saint-Germain star, it should have been Tanaka dealing with the pressure. Instead, Ugarte and Casemiro looked drastically out of their depth against the Japanese midfielder.
With Casemiro already confirmed to depart the club on June 30, when his contract runs out—with Ugarte possibly leaving as a host of suitors approach the Uruguayan—Tanaka may be the perfect low-cost option for United as they look to build a stronger, deeper midfield.
Tanaka Impresses Man United
According to TEAMtalk, Manchester United are weighing up a “shock move” as they consider an approach for Tanaka. The Leeds midfielder has played infrequently under Daniel Farke, but when called upon against the Reds, he delivered an exemplary performance.
The Japanese midfielder could now depart the club and head to Old Trafford as part of a midfield rebuild. The Red Devils will have to beat stiff competition, however, with Newcastle United and Everton also keeping tabs on the Japanese international.
Since moving from Fortuna Düsseldorf to Leeds in the summer of 2024, Tanaka has been a mainstay in the side’s first team. Last season in the Championship, he played 43 games—45 in all competitions—as he helped Leeds to a first-place finish and promotion back to the Premier League.
He also claimed Leeds United’s Goal of the Season, earned a place in the PFA Championship Team of the Year, and picked up the Leeds Players’ Player of the Year award.
This season, however, has told a different story. Tanaka has struggled for minutes in England’s top division, and although he has featured 23 times in the Premier League, he has managed just 929 minutes—an average of 40 minutes per appearance.
The match against United marked his first start since December 14, when Leeds drew 1-1 with Brentford.
Is Tanaka Brave Enough?
With a revolving-door summer ahead at Manchester United, there is a genuine chance the club could move for the Japanese international.
Whilst United will focus their efforts on pursuing the likes of Elliot Anderson, they still need at least one more midfielder—possibly two—to add depth and variety.
One major obstacle remains the rivalry between the two clubs. Only 16 players have crossed the A62 between Manchester and Leeds—14 if loans are excluded.
The most famous examples include Johnny Giles, Eric Cantona, and Rio Ferdinand. The most recent was Daniel James, who joined Leeds on August 31, 2021.
Striking a deal may prove difficult, with Tanaka risking being branded a “Judas” or a “snake” should he make the move across one of English football’s fiercest divides.
