SERI’S IN DEEP WITH RANIERI

CLAUDIO RANIERI is ready to continue with his experiment of playing £25m midfielder JeanMichael Seri in a deeper role against Manchester United today. The Fulham boss played Seri, 27 (left) alongside Calum Chambers as a defensive midfielder against Leicester in midweek and was pleased with the results as the rock-bottom Cottagers drew 1-1.

“He’s a key player, because a lot of the play goes through him,” said Ranieri.

“This is very, very important because he always shows for the ball, plays with the ball, and is important for his team-mates.”

Ranieri was only too aware of the attacking midfielder’s ability when he replaced Slavisa Jokanovic last month.

The Italian added: “In Nice he played so well two years ago – he was fantastic. In the Italian and French newspapers it said that Barcelona wanted him.

“Maybe he stayed there in Nice and his confidence went down a little, maybe he wanted to go, but he stayed in Nice and the second year was so-so.

“I think for this reason Fulham had the chance to buy him and for me he’s a very, very important central midfielder.”

And Ranieri is sure he can make Seri and the entire Fulham team better, saying: “For me it’s important he continues to play, because I believe he can improve more.

“My job is to try to improve all my players. If I improve all my players, I improve the team.”