Man United Identify Welsh Sensation As An Alternative For Top Transfer Target: Makes Sense?

Manchester United are tracking Schalke winger Rabbi Matondo, as a possible back-up option if they cannot sign Jadon Sancho. The Liverpool-born player was previously a part of Manchester City’s youth set-up – just like Sancho – before joining Schalke in the 2019 January transfer window.

Manchester Evening News have reported that the Red Devils value Matondo as a “low-risk buy”. The report states that if Borussia Dortmund “outprice” Sancho, they could make a move for someone like Rabbi Matondo. Schalke will reportedly be willing to sell players as the pandemic has hit them hard financially.

The winger is a Welsh international who has made 4 appearances for his national team. At the club level, Matondo has made 13 appearances for the senior team this season, scoring one solitary goal.

Move for Rabbi Matondo: Makes sense?

Jadon Sancho has been Manchester United’s primary target over the last few months, and it’s understandable why the Red Devils want to bring him to Old Trafford. He is a quick and skilful young player who will fit in well in the Red Devils starting XI having impressed for Dortmund over the last couple of seasons, scoring and assisting consistently.

He has wowed the football fraternity with his dazzling displays on the biggest stage and against top opposition and his composure and confident approach to his game have caught the envy of many.

Bad option as a direct alternative

On the other hand, Rabbi Matondo is a young player only in his second season of senior football. He has played 21 times in senior football and has scored just one goal so far. Matondo is a quick winger, who likes to take on defenders with his dribbling, and is capable of playing on either wing, as well as behind the striker.

It is too early for him to make the big move to Manchester United, that too for the first team. United already have talented and ready young wingers/attackers like Daniel James as well as Mason Greenwood, who can contribute off the bench or in cup games. Bringing in another young winger, that too one with little experience in senior football without any proven pedigree, does not seem like a good idea particularly given the stage the club is in right now.

It’s baffling that United would choose Matondo as a back-up choice to Sancho even if they don’t sign the Dortmund winger as the optics of the two moves are completely different even if the age and actual senior footballing experience might not be drastically different for the two players.

They could, instead, sign a player with a little more experience to fill the wide right role, rather than an untested 19-year-old.