4 reasons Ndidi transfer suits Man Utd instead of Declan Rice or Kalvin Phillips

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is still keen on acquiring a defensive-minded player to complete the Manchester United midfield with Wilfred Ndidi a top target.

The Leicester City man has lit up the Premier League in recent seasons with several stand-out performances and could be set to leave the Foxes after a disappointing start to the new campaign.

Spanish outlet Fichajes claim Ndidi is a 'clear target to reinforce the position' and that he is 'thinking about a way out' with Leicester 13th in the table and winless in four league matches.

Should he opt to leave Ndidi would not be short of admirers. Solskjaer will be hoping the allure of Old Trafford and playing with some of the world's best talent would persuade the Nigerian to move to Manchester.

United have also been linked with deals for West Ham's Declan Rice and Leeds' Kalvin Phillips.

The pair have formed a formidable partnership at international level and, alongside Ndidi, are top performers in their position.

But Daily Star Sport investigates why a deal Wilfred Ndidi might make the most sense for Man Utd.

1. European experience

With Champions League and Europa League experience, Ndidi has proven himself on Europe's biggest stage – a feat Rice and Phillips are yet to accomplish.

After arriving in the 2017 January transfer window, the 25-year-old was thrown straight into the starting line-up for Leicester's Champions League round of 16 match against Sevilla.

Declan Rice, Kalvin Phillips or Wilfred Ndidi, who should Manchester United sign? Let us know in the comments section.

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Ndidi then played every minute until the Foxes exited the competition at the hands of Atletico Madrid.

The Nigerian also has 11 Europa League appearances to date with Leicester and previous club KRC Genk.

Phillips is yet to feature in Europe with Rice only just entering the Europa League this season for the first time in his career.

2. Not involved in contract talks

Rice, Phillips and Ndidi's contracts all expire in June 2024, with West Ham able to trigger an automatic one-year extension on Rice's deal.

Yet both England midfielders are reportedly in talks concerning new deals at their respective clubs.

90min.com claim Rice is involved in penning a new contract at West Ham and is intent on staying put at the London Stadium until the end of the season.

TEAMtalk report Phillips is in advanced talks over extending his stay at Elland Road and both parties are hopeful a conclusion will be reached before the end of the year.

But with Ndidi considering a potential move, the Leicester man would seemingly be more open on a switch to Old Trafford than Rice or Phillips.

3. Higher tackling and interception percentage per 90

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has not remained coy on his demands for a defensive midfielder with neither Fred, Scott McTominay nor Nemanja Matic trusted to sit in front of the back four.

United have the joint-worst defensive record of the current top four, with 12th-placed Wolves having conceded the same number of goals as the Red Devils so far this season.

Wilfred Ndidi boasts a significantly higher number of successful interceptions and tackles per game than either Rice or Phillips.

The Nigerian makes three tackles and 2.5 interceptions every 90 minutes.

That's 1.1 and 0.7 more than Rice and Phillips for tackles and 0.5 and 1.7 more for interceptions.

4. Already on his way out?

With Rice and Phillips seemingly comfortable at their current clubs and in talks over new contracts, it makes sense for Man United to target Ndidi due to his future being far from certain.

Phillips would be unlikely to make the switch from Elland Road to Old Trafford due to the intense rivalry between the sides and has already commented on his contentment at Leeds.

Rice may be open to a move away from the London Stadium at the end of the season, but West Ham are likely to remain firm on their £100m asking price.

It was a fee that United baulked at last summer. It's anticipated that Ndidi would be available at a much lower fee.

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