United has recently demonstrated encouraging form in the Premier League, securing victory in three of their last five matches. Tonight, they have the opportunity to further extend their winning streak with another potential win.
Following United’s match, attention may turn to the Africa Cup of Nations final, where Ivory Coast is set to face Nigeria. This final marks the culmination of an exciting tournament, with one player drawing particular interest from United scouts.
That player is defender Odilon Kossounou, who is competing for a starting position in tonight’s final. Ivory Coast, having suffered defeats to Nigeria and Equatorial Guinea in the group stage, finds themselves in a precarious position in the competition and requires a strong performance to progress to the Round of 16.
Kossounou, a standout performer for Bayer Leverkusen, did not make a substitute appearance in the group stage but was called upon against Senegal, contributing to the team’s victory. However, he was subsequently sent off against Mali in the quarterfinals and missed the semi-final against DR Congo. Now back in contention, he is expected to replace Willy Boly in tonight’s final.
Kossounou’s performance against Senegal earned praise from Kolo Toure, and United scouts are eager to see more of him. Reports in January suggested that United is considering Kossounou as a potential signing for the summer transfer window.
With Leverkusen, the 23-year-old has impressed in the Bundesliga, and tonight’s final presents an ideal opportunity for United to further evaluate his capabilities. Facing a formidable striker like Victor Osimhen adds to the challenge, and United will be interested to see how Kossounou handles the pressure of such a significant match.
Known for his speed and versatility, Kossounou is described as a “complete defender” capable of playing both as a center-back and right-back. Tonight’s game provides him with a platform to showcase his talents on the global stage, and United will be closely monitoring his performance as they contemplate him as a potential target for the summer transfer window.
