Manchester United’s pursuit of RB Leipzig captain David Raum appears to have taken an optimistic turn. The Red Devils were looking to add more cover for Luke Shaw this summer and had the German speedster on their wish list.
Unfortunately, the English giants failed to strengthen the position before the end of the transfer window. United have lived to regret that decision, as Shaw has appeared in only five of the 11 games in all competitions.
The Red Devils have also struggled to impress in the final third, managing just two wins this season. The situation has prompted calls for squad reinforcements at the turn of the year.
It now appears that United could return for Raum in January.
United prioritising January move for Raum
According to Daily Debrief, United have made David Raum their priority target for the winter transfer window. The report states: “Manchester United are ready to shift their transfer focus towards strengthening the defence in January, with RB Leipzig captain David Raum emerging as one of the leading targets.”
“After significant investment elsewhere in Michael Carrick’s squad, left-back and centre-back are now considered priority areas.”
“Raum appears to be the most attainable high-level option, while Alejandro Balde, Adrien Truffert and Jarrad Branthwaite are also being monitored.”
Raum’s contract expires at the end of this season, and he is yet to sign a new deal.
| Stat | Bundesliga | UEFA Champions League | DFB Pokal | All competitions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | 2026/27 | 2026/27 | 2026/27 | 2026/27 |
| Club | RB Leipzig | RB Leipzig | RB Leipzig | RB Leipzig |
| Competition | Bundesliga | UEFA Champions League | DFB Pokal | All competitions |
| Apps | 6 | 3 | 1 | 10 |
| Minutes | 540 | 253 | 64 | 857 |
| Starts | 6 | 3 | 1 | 10 |
| Sub appearances | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Goals | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Non-penalty goals | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Assists | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Goals + assists | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Minutes per goal | – | – | – | – |
| Avg rating | 6.85 | 6.35 | 8.30 | 6.81 |
| Shots | 2 | 0 | 1 | 3 |
| Shots on target | 2 | 0 | 1 | 3 |
| Shot accuracy % | 100.0% | – | 100.0% | 100.0% |
| Conversion % | 0.0% | – | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Passes | 346 | 147 | 81 | 574 |
| Pass accuracy % | 88.0% | 85.0% | 93.0% | 87.9% |
| Key passes | 22 | 9 | 3 | 34 |
| Dribbles attempted | 4 | 3 | 1 | 8 |
| Dribbles completed | – | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Dribble success % | – | 0.0% | 100.0% | 12.5% |
| Tackles | 8 | 5 | 2 | 15 |
| Interceptions | 8 | 3 | – | 11 |
| Tackles + interceptions | 16 | 8 | 2 | 26 |
| Blocks | – | 1 | – | 1 |
| Duels | 30 | 23 | 5 | 58 |
| Duels won | 10 | 5 | 3 | 18 |
| Duels won % | 33.3% | 21.7% | 60.0% | 31.0% |
| Dribbled past | – | – | – | – |
| Fouls won | 1 | 0 | – | 1 |
| Fouls committed | 6 | 1 | – | 7 |
| Yellow cards | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Red cards | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Penalties won | – | – | – | – |
| Penalties conceded | – | – | – | – |
| Penalties scored | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Penalties missed | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Raum interested in Premier League move
The report goes on to state that Raum is keen to test himself in the Premier League. With the player’s contract expiring in less than 12 months, January could be an ideal opportunity for Leipzig to cash in on him.
The report adds that United are in a good position in the race for the 28-year-old, who could hit the ground running at Old Trafford. It is believed that the German is open to the prospect of joining the English giants.
The Red Devils could also target a new centre-back in January, so the opportunity to sign Raum for a nominal fee would appeal to them. That could leave funds available for INEOS to invest in someone like Jarrad Branthwaite, although he is likely to cost a small fortune.
Balde could be another option for the English giants to explore in January, especially since he has struggled for game time with Barcelona this season.
Final Thoughts
Raum’s attacking instincts, experience, and leadership qualities make him an ideal candidate for United in January. The Red Devils, as such, must make every effort to secure the RB Leipzig captain’s signature at the turn of the year.
The Peoples Person Reliability Assessment
Overall credibility: 5/10
Why?
✅ Raum could be a cost-effective option for United in January.
⚠️ INEOS may prefer a Premier League-proven candidate.
TPP view
We believe Raum could be an excellent option for United in January, but the Red Devils could face stiff competition for his signature.
Featured image Maja Hitij via Getty Images
