FLORENCIO VARELA, ARGENTINA - OCTOBER 25: Franco Mastantuono of River Plate drives the ball during a Liga Profesional 2024 match between Defensa y Justicia and River Plate at Estadio Norberto Tomaghello on October 25, 2024 in Florencio Varela, Argentina. (Photo by Daniel Jayo/Getty Images)
As Manchester United gear up for a crucial Europa League final against Tottenham Hotspur later this week, the stakes couldn’t be higher.
With the Red Devils languishing in 16th place in the Premier League, lifting the Europa League trophy remains their only route to Champions League football, and with it, a much-needed financial and reputational boost.
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Getting to play CL football next season will not just ensure a better financial situation for the English club but at the same time, they will also be able to have a far greater pull in terms of the players they can attract. The best players in the world want to play in the Champions League.
Despite an important game on the horizon, Man Utd have already started planning for the future and looking at potential targets for the upcoming summer. The Red Devils are looking to give Ruben Amorim the right kind of profile for him to build a project and they need to get it right.
Argentine wonderkid
As per Caught Offside, Ruben Amorim is pressing to sign talented River Plate wonderkid Franco Mastantuono who has grabbed eyeballs with his performances this season. The youngster has widespread interest from the creme de la creme of Europe with the likes of Manchester City, Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid all interested in him.
The report mentions that River Plate have no intention of letting the youngster go and although he has a release clause of around £37.8million in his contract, the South American club is working hard to increase his asking price amid the widespread interest from elite European clubs.
The 17-year-old playmaker is capable of playing through the middle and also on the right wing and oozes class on the ball. At such a young age, his maturity is beyond his years and his decision-making is a standout feature. He possesses a magical left-foot that helps him create chances at will.
In 17 games across all competitions this season, the teenager has 6 goals and 4 assists. He has also been a regular feature in the youth ranks of the U-17 and U-20 setups of Argentina and if he continues in the same vein, it is only a matter of time before he gets his senior cap for the World Cup champions.
South American talents often tend to move to Europe and face one of two scenarios: they either hit the ground running and become huge successes like Neymar Jr. or they seem to resemble a fish out of water and get shipped back to South America sooner rather than later.
With the Europa League final looming and the summer transfer window on the horizon, Manchester United are juggling short-term urgency with long-term ambition.
Franco Mastantuono may still be in the early stages of his career, but his talent is undeniable and if United can win the race for his signature, he could become a vital piece in Ruben Amorim’s rebuild. Whether he follows the path of legends or becomes another cautionary tale remains to be seen, but one thing’s certain: all eyes will be on Old Trafford this summer.