Better than Tchouameni: Uniteds pursuit of alternative French midfielder is a proven stroke of genius – opinion

It is now almost certain that Aurelien Tchouameni will not be moving to Manchester United this summer. After the 20-time English champions missed out on other top midfield targets, the Real Madrid man emerged as a dream summer 2026 signing. He was set to become the face of United’s midfield rebuild. A Tchouameni signing would have eased the frustration caused by missing out on Elliot Anderson and Mateus Fernandes. However, this blockbuster raid on the Bernabeu is not happening, not with the midfielder and Real Madrid agreeing to renew terms. United must now look elsewhere, and in doing so, they may have found the ultimate response to their Tchouameni heartbreak. United are reportedly set to pursue AS Roma’s Manu Kone, and it is wise for them to do so. Manu Kone is the best Tchouameni alternative Kone is the best Tchouameni alternative out there. Like the Real Madrid star, he excels at ball progression, carrying the ball from central areas and spreading it into wide areas with real verve. He is also a hard tackler with a good eye for a pass. Moreover, he has a more natural feel for injecting tempo and redirecting distribution with fluidity and flow. That said, he is arguably the better option against low blocks, a fact that became clear when he replaced the injured Tchouameni in France’s World Cup round-of-16 win over Paraguay. Paraguay deployed an aggressive low block, relying on physicality to disrupt play and unsettle the French players. But for Kone, a “a one-man army“, the hostility of the rivals held no fear. Tasked with proving he could match Tchouameni’s quality as a six, he did exactly that. The Serie A tempo-setter rose to the occasion, and his impressive shift did not go unnoticed by the French media. Reaction to performance against France Maxi Foot wrote of his performance: “Starting in place of the injured Tchouaméni, the French midfielder justified the faith shown in him by coach Didier Deschamps. Thanks to his work rate, the AS Roma player held his own in duels despite the Paraguayans’ aggression. “Accurate in his passing, though not particularly inspired in his playmaking, he wasn’t afraid to push forward and try his luck with long-range shots.” Foot Mercato, meanwhile, said: “In Tchouameni’s absence, he held the fort perfectly in midfield and managed to keep his composure against the tough opposing midfielders.” Surely Didier Deschamps, or the next France coach, now knows that if Tchouameni is unavailable, he can rely on Kone. Indeed, after Ederson and Andrey Santos, Kone could be the final piece of the puzzle in United’s midfield rebuild. Perfect Mainoo partner While Santos and Ederson are great options, Kone is surely the perfect partner for Kobbie Mainoo. Mainoo’s game thrives with security behind him, and that is exactly what the Roma midfield lynchpin offers, with his relentless ball-winning, athleticism and ability to break lines with the ball. Together, Mainoo and Kone would combine high-volume defensive grit with tight-space creativity, giving United the balance they have long craved. With Kone, you surely have everything Tchouameni could offer, with no reason to blow £100m-plus on one deal. Featured image Paolo Bruno via Getty Images The Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social Daniel Onguko Dan is a writer with The Peoples Person, an avid Manchester United fan whose passion for the Red Devils evolved into writing about them. He was introduced to United back in 2008, and his love for the club has continued to grow ever since. Like every other United fan, he believes the club will soon return to its rightful place and strives to reflect that belief in his writing. While he has also written about other Premier League sides, including Arsenal for Just Arsenal and The Arsenal Analysis Blogspot, Dan lives and breathes Manchester United.