Jose Mourinho does not leave an opportunity to hit his detractors with a “I told you so” and he might have a chance to do that to Man Utd chiefs in the near future.
Manchester United have clear priorities in the upcoming summer window as a new defensive midfielder is needed in the wake of potential Christian Eriksen and Casemiro departures.
Then there’s the wing-back issue, especially if Amad’s long-term future is as a No.10, not to mention Ruben Amorim accepting Harry Maguire and Matthijs de Ligt can’t play together.
However, the most striking issue, pun intended, is up top, with Rasmus Hojlund the sole natural striker at the club after Joshua Zirkzee’s position change.
Photo by ANP via Getty Images
Photo by ANP via Getty Images
Man Utd eye long-term Jose Mourinho target
The year is 2017 and Jose Mourinho has just had his moment of vindication. After being criticised for his playing style and United falling down the table, he wins the Europa League.
A sensational return to the Champions League has been secured but the season after, the board fails him, granting him Diogo Dalot, Fred, and Lee Grant in a horror window.
That window could have looked a bit different had he managed to land a player he had coveted for a long time, a fresh-faced 19-year-old attacker.
That 19-year-old is now dominating the Premier League, more clinical at one time than Erling Haaland, and United eye him again in a moment of vindication for Mourinho seven years in the making.
More United News
CaughtOffside reports that United are eyeing Bournemouth’s star attacker Justin Kluivert for a summer move after his exploits this season.
It follows from a 2018 report from The Guardian when Mourinho was reported as a fan of the player but the move didn’t happen due to a combination of factors. Could the stars align now?
Justin Kluivert has clear role at Man Utd
Kluivert’s move to Old Trafford was risky at the time because he was clearly a raw prospect, albeit with unlimited potential.
That’s reflected in his career path as well, as he joined AS Roma but then went on numerous loan spells before landing at Bournemouth on a permanent deal in a cut-price move.
Now that he’s found his role in the Premier League, his fit at United is also easy to envision. As a dual-footed attacking midfielder coached in a high-pressing game, the No. 10 spot in Amorim’s 3-4-2-1 is screaming out for someone like him.
Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola called him “amazing” earlier this season and he’s also a coach in the Amorim mold in terms of demands he makes of his players in all phases of play.
Kluivert can effectively be a fit Mason Mount with more goals in him, probably the ideal profile of player United need.
It won’t be easy and the competition will be tough but this is as good a time as any to bring to fruition a chase started by Mourinho in 2018.