Denis Zakaria sends reminder on Juventus debut after Manchester United pass on transfer

manchestereveningnews.co.uk:

Manchester United passed on the chance to sign Denis Zakaria last month, a decision they may well regret based on the midfielder's Juventus debut.

Zakaria was one of a number of midfielders United ran the rule over before deciding not to make any additions during the January window, despite Ralf Rangnick being keen to strengthen his options in the middle of the park.

Although Rangnick has never worked with the 25-year-old previously, the United interim boss is well aware of Zakaria’s strengths from his time in the Bundesliga and is said to ‘think highly’ of the midfielder.

Despite United’s unwillingness to make any new signings in January, Zakaria would have only set them back around £5million – and Juventus look to have picked up one of the bargains of the season.

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With the Swiss international’s deal at Borussia Monchengladbach running out in the summer, he was free to discuss pre-contract agreements with clubs, but the Italian giants opted to pounce immediately as they completed the signing on deadline day.

And, on the same weekend United’s usual problems this season came home to roost once again in their FA Cup defeat to Middlesbrough, Zakaria sent a reminder of the mistake they might have made.

The midfielder enjoyed the perfect debut for his new side, scoring the second goal in Juve’s 2-0 win over Verona as he produced the sort of performance United fans have been crying out