Nathan Ake Comments on Manchester United January Transfer Rumours

Bournemouth defender Nathan Ake has played down links of a potential transfer to Manchester United in January.

The 23-year-old previously featured under United manager Jose Mourinho at Chelsea, and recent reports said the Special One wants to bring the centre-back to Old Trafford.

Alex Crook of the Daily Star reported United are considering a £40 million raid for the Cherries player.

However, Ake has refused to substantiate talk of a move to the Theatre of Dreams.

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Speaking to Dutch outlet FootballOranje.com (h/t Metro), Ake said:

"I've seen it pass by but of course it's rumours.

"At the moment I play at Bournemouth and that is going well, so I focus on that.

"This does not say much about my status yet. They are rumours on the internet and as long as I do not hear anything myself, I will not go into that."

Ake was a highly rated youngster at Stamford Bridge but was forced to leave on loan to gain vital experience and playing time.

The defender had temporary spells at Reading, Watford and Bournemouth before making a permanent switch to play for the Vitality Stadium club in 2017.

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Cherries boss Eddie Howe explained recently why he tried so hard to bring the player to the south coast, per the Metro:

"Nathan has been a model of consistency, not just on match-day but every day in training.

"That is the mark of a model pro and someone who will improve.

"We had a big fight to get him in the summer, it wasn’t easy and I'm delighted he has had such a great season.

"A player of that quality and with the attitude he has is tough to recruit in this day and age. He is good enough, will only get better and is great age.

"He has got the attitude you can build a team around."

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The former Feyenoord youth player has strong concentration and powers of recovery, and Mourinho saw plenty of him as he came through the ranks as a junior.

Ake featured in every Premier League game for Howe last term, starting 37 out of 38 games, scoring twice and providing three assists.

United have been a disaster in defence this season, with Mourinho unable to decide which pairing is his best option at centre-back.

Eric Bailly started his United career in good form, but injury has curtailed his involvement, with recent performances reaching new lows for the Ivory Coast international.

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Like Bailly, Victor Lindelof was purchased by Mourinho, but the Swede has failed to show the confidence and technique he displayed at former team Benfica.

Ake is a solid player, but at £40 million, United supporters will want a bigger name with proven talent.

The Red Devils were heavily linked with Tottenham Hotspur's Toby Alderweireld and rising Leicester City star Harry Maguire in the summer, but the club failed to land any of their centre-back targets.

Ake has a diverse skill set that could see him improve as a player in the next few years, but United need a world-class defender to lead their team.

United have appeared to be a rudderless ship in too many matches this term, and the previously trusted guard of Chris Smalling and Phil Jones are past their best.

Jones is still only 26, but his injury record has prevented him becoming the world-class player former manager Sir Alex Ferguson believed he would develop into.