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Soccer

Is Jack Grealish the right fit for Manchester United?

Manchester United travel to Villa Park on Thursday night looking to continue their push for fourt...



Soccer

Is Jack Grealish the right fit for Manchester United?

Manchester United travel to Villa Park on Thursday night looking to continue their push for fourth place, and while United have been in blistering form of late much of the conversation leading into the game surrounds Aston Villa's Jack Grealish.

Grealish has been linked extensively with United throughout this season, with many expecting Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to make a move for the Englishman should Villa be relegated to the Championship.

Grealish's skill is unquestioned and he has had a wonderful campaign this season despite Villa's woes.

There are question marks over his character that still are unsolved, according to Stephen Doyle, who joined Thursday's OTB AM to preview the clash.

Manchester United

"If you're a top club going for Champions League, you want to win trophies, is Jack Grealish the type of person you want in your dressing room?"

Much of the conversation around Grealish's character centres around the car crash he was involved in back in March. Having broken Britain's lockdown rules to attend a friend's house party, the Villa star crashed his car and subsequently fled the scene.

The 24-year-old subsequently took to social media to issue an apology after the incident took place.

He has since been charged with the offence and will appear in court in August.

"I know he's a captain, personally I think he should have been stripped of that captaincy when he had that crash during the lockdown," said Doyle.

"He's been charged with that since. He's going to be in court on August 25th, charged with leaving the scene of an accident and driving without due care and attention."

At the time Grealish was charged Aston Villa did not immediately comment, they did, however, issue a fine to their captain when the original news broke.

Solskjaer mentioned Grealish in his pre-match press conference, noting that in order for United to win the game they will need to be "aware" of the Englishman and the influence he may have on the pitch.

Grealish scored a delicious curled goal in the reverse fixture at Old Trafford back in December.

"There's been lots said about him, and we need to be aware of him. He attracts players to him and creates space for others," Solskjaer said.

If Grealish were to arrive in Manchester this summer, Doyle questioned whether Solskjaer, still young in his managerial career, has the authority to deal with such negative behaviour were it to continue.

There are also question marks over whether United need a player of Grealish's ilk at this moment in time.

There are certainly more pressing issues with Solskjaer's squad that need to be addressed, particularly the lack of depth at centre-half.

Should they spend the money on Grealish who is a wonderful attacking player but is lacking in the defensive side of the game?

Having commentated on Aston Villas 2-1 loss to Chelsea for Off The Ball, Doyle is not so sure if United can afford to have Grealish in their side if they are to contend for multiple trophies next year.

"He wasn't getting back, he wasn't tracking back, he wasn't trying to help out with the defence. It was all very weak."

"I just don't think he is the kind of character that Manchester United need in their dressing room right now."

On the pitch, a creative player like Grealish would add to the wealth of talent that United possess in forward areas.

There is certainly an argument to be made that Grealish could improve his overall game where he surrounded by better players, and Doyle conceded as much.

"If he's in a better team with better players then perhaps he would shine better himself."

Grealish also has the ability to play in a number of positions across the midfield. His adaptability would provide United with cover should they need to rotate players next year, or if certain members of the squad where to pick up an injury.

It remains to be seen whether United will move for Grealish this summer but the debate around his future has added a layer of intrigue to tonight's clash at Villa Park, which kicks off at 8:15 PM.

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Aston Villa Champions League English Football Jack Grealish Manchester United Ole Gunnar Solskjaer Premier League