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Peter Schmeichel has urged Manchester United to consider a shock move for Sunderland captain Granit Xhaka this summer.

The former Manchester United goalkeeper believes the Red Devils need more experience and leadership in midfield, particularly with Casemiro expected to leave Old Trafford at the end of the season. Speaking on The Good, The Bad & The Football, Schmeichel argued that Xhaka could provide the type of authority and control United need alongside Kobbie Mainoo.

“I have one (signing), maybe controversial in thinking, but I think we should go and sign (Granit) Xhaka. Cheaper. I make my case, we are going to build a team around Kobbie. Casemiro is leaving. Bring in Wharton and Anderson or whatever, who are still young. What we don’t have really is proper leadership. When I look and see what Xhaka has done at Sunderland, he is the reason why they are absolutely amazing.

“His leadership qualities are great, he can play 80 per cent of the games, and he is a very good player. I know he can do it. If he does one or two years, we need leadership. I know Tonali is mentioned, but has he done enough at Newcastle to warrant that… I think Xhaka would bring a lot to the dressing room and have power around the person, which is rare. We’re desperate for more leadership.

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“Harry Maguire is a fantastic leader. I do think he is. I think Bruno is. He’s a leader in his own way, but he’s a leader, and he leads a lot by how he plays. But then I look at the rest of the squad, you know, they’re followers. We’ve been in squads where everyone was leading. We know the value of having those players in there because on a Sunday or a Tuesday night, I always said, a Tuesday night where everything is going against you.

“You need somebody who can pull you out by the hair, the short hairs, and get you playing or find that little bit to bring you up. And that value of having that … and I’ve been thinking about this for a while. I think that would be a really good thing. I want somebody like that.”