Manchester United are reported to be at the front of the queue to sign Porto midfielder Rodrigo Mora after head coach Ruben Amorim “wanted” to sign the 17-year-old starlet while manager of Sporting CP.
Amorim swapped Lisbon for Manchester in November to replace Erik ten Hag after enjoying four years of almost unprecedented success at the José Alvalade Stadium.
Sporting had not won the Primeira Liga trophy for nearly two decades before the 40-year-old coach’s appointment in 2020. They proceeded to win two in the next three years, as well as the Taça da Ligas three times (Portuguese Cup).
It’s fair to say Amorim transformed Sporting from the ‘little brother’ of the league’s ‘big three’, including Porto and Benfica, into the elder sibling during his time in the Portuguese capital.
There will be quiet optimism amongst United’s executive branch that he is able to produce a similar effect in Manchester.
However, significant investment will be needed to help the 40-year-old coach achieve this as the current cohort of players at Old Trafford are unsuited to his trademark 3-4-3 system, which utilises two number tens behind a centre-forward in the attacking unit.
And this explains why the Red Devils are “keeping close tabs” on Mora, who is enjoying a stellar debut campaign in Portugal after breaking through into the Porto first-team, despite his tender years.
The 17-year-old midfielder is described as a player who “does not hide” from the ball – a criticism often levelled at youngsters – with Dragões’ fans already seeing him as a “future star” of the club.
Mora can play as a number ten or on the wing, demonstrating a comfortability in possession and a broad attacking skillset, enabling his manager to utilise as something of a Swiss army knife in attack.
The starlet’s profile perfectly aligns with the demands Amorim places upon his attacking midfielders, who must be technically strong and able to play between the lines, but retain the speed and dribbling ability to take on opposition fullbacks if required.
United’s head coach is believed to have wanted to sign Mora when he was still manager in Lisbon. “Amorim wanted [Mora] for Sporting CP”, Fichajes reports, despite the obviously rivalry with Porto.
And this explains why the Red Devils are ramping up their interest in a player sources at Old Trafford believe can become one of a “leading player in world football”.
INEOS wanted Amorim to lead their revolution at Old Trafford; and it appears Amorim wants Mora to spreadhead his transformation of the United first-team. Now, United have “set their sights” on securing the 17-year-old wonderkid.
Featured image Octavio Passos via Getty Images
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Darragh Fox
Darragh is a writer for The Peoples Person who spent three years as a history graduate slowly realising football was by far the most interesting thing to write about.
