Manchester United may be having second thoughts about one of their top transfer targets after he was involved in a confrontation with his club's supporters at the weekend. Highly rated centre back, Jean-Clair Todibo, scored an own goal in Nice's 2-1 defeat to Montpellier on Saturday afternoon before facing the wrath of the Nice supporters.
Todibo has been linked with a move away from Nice for the last year with the France international drawing interest from across Europe. Links to Man Utd have intensified since Sir Jim Ratcliffe, the Nice owner, purchased a stake in Man Utd and the Nice faithful have seemingly had enough of Todibo's refusal to commit his future to the club.
After the match against Montpellier, the Nice fans started chanting “If you're not happy, leave the club” in a very clear message aimed at the 24-year-old. Instead of just taking the message on the chin, Todibo responded by making his way over to the Nice ultras at the end of the match.
After remonstrating with the fans, several other players came over to drag him away but he continued to go back and forth with the group behind the goal. Eventually, club captain, Dante, managed to move him away from the situation as things threatened to get really ugly when some ultras started to attempt to get onto the pitch to confront Todibo.
🥶 Ça chauffe à Nice entre joueurs et supporters après la défaite !
😳 @jctodibo était très remonté ! #OGCNMHSC pic.twitter.com/YhC7VAmzrr
— Prime Video Sport France (@PVSportFR) March 8, 2024
What now for Todibo?
Todibo is part of a Nice team that started the Ligue 1 season in terrific fashion. They led the league table in the Autumn but their form has plummeted since Christmas with yesterday's result marking their seventh defeat in their last 12 matches.
The Frenchman is expected to leave the club in the summer but with his contract not due to expire until 2027, the Nice hierarchy won't be in a rush to sell him. However, the potential conflict of interest of Sir Jim Ratcliffe could come into question should Nice accept a bid from Man Utd for the defender in the summer.
Todibo would certainly improve the Man Utd defence, particularly if they are keen to have more ball-playing defenders at the back. Raphael Varane and Jonny Evans are expected to leave the club in the summer, too, so the Reds will certainly be in the market for a central defender and Todibo fits the bill.