Former Manchester United defender Paul Parker has urged the club to sign a Crystal Palace duo as part of a summer rebuild. The Reds do have history conducting business with the Eagles.
United signed Wilfried Zaha from Palace back in 2013, and the Ivorian winger became Sir Alex Ferguson’s final signing. But a lack of opportunities led the Eagles hero to return to Selhurst Park two years later.
The South Londoners always give players a chance but that can often lead to them making big-money moves. We saw this with Michael Olise who has become a Ballon d’Or contender at Bayern Munich.
‘Go Get Munoz and Mitchell’
Parker feels United need to replace Diogo Dalot and Luke Shaw. The former right-back suggested they turn to Palace’s Daniel Munoz and Tyrick Mitchell (via TEAMtalk):
“Go and get Crystal Palace’s wing-back [Daniel] Munoz. They’ve [also] got maybe the best wing-back, left-back in the league – Tyrick Mitchell.”
While that’s huge praise from Parker on Mitchell it also should serve as a wake up call for Thomas Tuchel. The England manager continues to snub the Palace left-back who recently played his 200th game for the club.
Mitchell has been Mr Consistent throughout his time at senior level at Selhurst Park. This season, he’s made 32 appearances in the league, posting one goal and two assists.
Still only 26, the London-born left-back has excelled defensively and going forward. It is a surprise that a Champions League club hasn’t yet made a move for him.
Munoz hasn’t got the longevity of Mitchell but he’s definitely just as talented. The Colombian arrived from Belgian outfit Genk for a mere £6.5m in early 2024.
Since then, the 29-year-old has produced outstanding displays at right wing-back, bursting forward to help his side in attack. His crossing abilities are right up there with the best in the league, and he has three goals and two assists in 23 league games this season.
Don’t Sell
It’s tough for Palace when a big club comes calling for their star men, and Oliver Glasner vented his frustrations with this earlier this year. The Austrian watched Olise join Bayern in the summer of 2024, Eberechi Eze head to Arsenal last summer, and Marc Guehi move to Manchester City in January.
Glasner’s successful reign has undoubtedly raised the profiles of the players in his squad. That’s certainly the case for Mitchell, whose versatility has been on display amid a wing-back role.
Mitchell and Munoz are hugely important, and the idea of either of them leaving this summer would be a huge blow. Glasner’s successor needs to arrive with a squad that boasts experience and can help him ease into the role.
Who’s to say that either of them would want to join United? The Red Devils aren’t quite the footballing powerhouse of the Sir Alex Ferguson era but they do look set for a return to Champions League football.
