Manchester United face a fight to hold on to their 2nd spot in the points table this season but they are not expected to miss out on a place in the Champions League next season. They still have a number of frailties in their squad that need to be addressed and Jose Mourinho is now looking to add some star players to his side, to try and go all the way next season.
A number of exciting players have been constantly linked with a move to Old Trafford and the latest name exciting the fans is Argentine star Mauro Icardi.
Manchester United Ready To Trigger Icardi’s Release Clause:
A transfer target for the Red Devils even at the start of the season, Icardi has continued his fine form in Serie A and is also wanted by the likes of Real Madrid and PSG. However, reports now claim that Manchester United are ready to trigger his release clause, which is set at £97m.
It is reported that Inter Milan are desperate to extend his stay at San Siro but that the player is expected to quit Serie A if Luciano Spalletti’s side fails to qualify for the UCL this season. So is he the right man for Manchester United?
Icardi And His Numbers:
Having worked at La Masia in Barcelona, Icardi only made a name for himself in his time at Sampdoria, where he broke into the first team pretty quickly from the academy. He was snapped up by Inter Milan in 2013 and has ever since shown great improvement by the season.
He has 18 goals and an assist in 22 league starts this season and now has 99 goals and 26 assists in 178 Serie A appearances till date. He has represented the Argentine national team just four times but at just 25, is easily one of the most exciting stars in the country at the moment.
A CF by trait, Icardi loves to play on the shoulder of the defenders, constantly looking to get at the end of the crosses or make runs that disrupt the opposition backline. His finishing is right up there with the best in Europe but his positioning and composure in and around the box make him a dangerous player.
He is smart with his touches, turns and flick-ons and is usually hard to mark in the final third. He can not only finish half chances but can also create them for his side, and though is at times wasteful with the ball, is a genuine match winner on his day.
Right Man For Jose?
Mourinho spent big on Romelu Lukaku at the start of the season but has not been able to get him to play at his best. He has not lived up to his price tag and though he is still one of the best in England, may not be the undisputed first choice at the club come the start of the next season.
There are not too many names that can walk into the first team at Old Trafford but the Argentine from Inter Milan certainly fits the bill. At 25, he has already gathered loads of experience at the highest stage, is ready for the big challenges in England and is a long-term solution to the problem for Jose Mourinho.
He will certainly add more goal scoring threat to this United side but is he the man they really need to spend on this summer?
Stats Courtesy: Whoscored
