Manchester United suffered yet another loss at the hands of Manchester City in the Premier League, as Pep Guardiola’s men subjected them to a 3-0 drubbing at the Etihad. It was a humiliating result for the Red Devils.
Ruben Amorim has now failed to secure a victory in three of four Premier League games so far this season, with the only success coming in a scrappy win over Burnley. Despite a summer of significant spending, Man United do not seem to have many answers.
One area that is particularly troubling the Red Devils is the midfield.
Having made no attempt to address the issue in the summer transfer window, Man United are now stuck with Bruno Fernandes and one of Casemiro or Manuel Ugarte in midfield, and it simply is not enough.
Now, according to CaughtOffside, Man United are among the clubs monitoring 17-year-old defensive midfielder Jorthy Mokio of Ajax.
The Belgian has made a name for himself as one of the brightest prospects in Dutch football at the moment.
Scouts from Barcelona, Real Madrid, Arsenal, Chelsea and the Red Devils have all been keeping a close eye on the teenager’s progress. He has already made 5 appearances for the Eredivisie club this season.
The Belgian joined Ajax from KAA Gent last year, but his development and progression since have been rapid. His versatility makes him an incredibly promising asset, with the left-footed player equally comfortable in defensive midfield and central defence.
Ajax have no intention of letting Mokio leave as things stand, but the report mentions that an offer of around £22 million to £26 million could make them consider a sale, especially given his contractual situation. His current deal with the Dutch club runs until 2027.
Although Mokio is an unknown quantity, Ajax have a long track record of developing and nurturing world-class talent. With other clubs like Arsenal, Chelsea and Barcelona having more settled options in defensive midfield, Man United might hold an advantage in the race.
Signing Mokio would be a huge coup for Ruben Amorim and co. Whether he is around to see it happen when the next transfer window comes is a different story, and let us wait and see how things play out.
