Manchester United are finally looking to explore other midfield options as a saga involvingBarcelona's Frenkie de Jong rages on. The Dutch international was the Red Devils' top target all summer, but his deal stalled as he didn't want to move to Old Trafford.
United previously agreed a £71million transfer fee with the Catalan giants, but now have other options as de Jong continues to question the possibility of joining the club.
One of these other options is Juventus midfielder Adrian Rabiot, who earlier this week saw a $15 million deal between the two clubs. A pound contract was agreed. However, Eric ten Hag is looking to add depth and quality to the position, so he is likely to target at least one other midfielder.
In an ideal world, an additional midfielder would be De Jong, but if that deal couldn't cross the line, United would want a similar profile. Given that, it is surprising that the club is not considering a move for Sporting CP star Mateus Nunes.
The midfielder has attracted a lot of interest from all over Europe, with Liverpool recently hinting at his move. However, the Merseysiders are not yet interested and probably won't be doing so until next summer. No doubt he has many characteristics that the club needs.First and foremost, he has unquestionable technical prowess and can play a wide range of passes.
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Sporting tend to play versions of Nunez and the 3-4-3 formation - usually part of midfield two form - essential for building and playing in it. United's defeat against Brighton on Sunday was a reminder that the midfield duo of Fred and Scott McTominay cannot be built this season, but Nunes can offer something more in the position.
Not only that, the 23-year-old is an excellent ball carrier. According to Wiscout, he averaged 3.11 progressive runs per 90 last season. La Liga he played over 1,000 minutes in Portugal Central His midfielder, no player above average. In comparison, De Jong averaged 2.39, while at United McTominay averaged 1.23 and Fred averaged 0.58.
Nunes is also a great dribbler, not only improving his ability to carry the ball across the line, but also being key to being a very pressure-savvy player in the middle of the pitch. When opponents try to close him in, he is adept at leaping into space away from danger and releasing the ball to teammates around him.
It has reportedly cost around £50m to sign a highly rated midfielder from Sporting, but United have given De Jong his £70m+. Worth the investment, given the willingness to pay. And given the interest in him from other clubs, the Red Devils probably don't have a better chance of signing him than this summer.
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