Transfer Centre

How Manchester United could line up with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang

By Darren Plant, Senior Reporter | 29 June 2019

Arsenal forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is allegedly open to a transfer to Manchester United, but how may the Gabon international fit into Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side?

Manchester United have been linked with a wide range of players since the end of the season, the latest of which is Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who may be open to leaving Arsenal.

The Gabon international has just netted 22 goals in the Premier League to finish as joint top goalscorer alongside Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah, meaning that the Gunners are currently against parting ways with the attacker.

However, a combination of Aubameyang being 30 years of age, having just two years left on his contract and Arsenal's limited transfer budget means that a big-money sale this summer is not out of the question.

United could also be in the market for a replacement for Romelu Lukaku, with Inter Milan known to be keen on securing a deal for the Belgian frontman.

Aubameyang and Lukaku are two different types of striker, though, and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer may have to reconsider the makeup of his starting lineup ahead of the top-flight opener with Chelsea on August 11.

Here, Sports Mole predicts how Aubameyang could fit into the team should he make the switch from the Emirates Stadium to Old Trafford.

United already have two versatile forwards in Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial, and the addition of Aubameyang would leave Solskjaer with opportunities to tinker with the makeup of his front three.

Aubameyang has spent time down the middle and on the left for Arsenal, although he could begin on the right-hand side to accommodate the preferences of his potential strike-partners.

There will be times, however, where Solskjaer will not want to play with a counter-attacking style, meaning that Aubameyang may be used on the left to accommodate either Jesse Lingard or Juan Mata.

Depending on which strategy is used by the Norwegian, Paul Pogba - should he stay at the North-West giants - will be used in a midfield three or in a more advanced role to support the attack.

Solskjaer must also consider potential partnerships with the full-backs as each of Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Diogo Dalot, Luke Shaw and Ashley Young all like to get forward.

Aubameyang would no doubt add to United's threat in the final third, but Solskjaer would have to strike a balance and avoid becoming too gung-ho in search of playing attractive football and scoring goals.