Manchester United’s new head coach Ruben Amorim employs the use of wingbacks instead of traditional fullbacks with the wingbacks tasked with providing attacking impetus down the flanks.
Due to Luke Shaw’s injury problems and Tyrell Malacia’s form issues, the Portuguese tactician was forced to play Diogo Dalot on the left and Noussair Mazraoui on the right and as expected, both struggled offensively.
Which is why the first bit of business conducted in January involved signing Patrick Dorgu from Lecce, who has instantly transformed the left flank.
And Amorim is now hoping for the same on the opposite flank with Dalot playing there for now. Geovany Quenda of Sporting CP has been earmarked as the perfect recruit.
Quenda, the perfect wingback target
He knows exactly what the head coach wants and can play up front and on either flank if required, with his attacking prowess impressing one and all.
The 17-year-old has been a revelation since Amorim handed him his Sporting debut and now he is eager to reunite with the Portuguese wonderkid.
He has two goals and seven assists already this term and there have been murmurs that the Red Devils are trying to agree a pre-contract agreement with Sporting for the teenager.
However given United’s current form, the likelihood of European football at Old Trafford next season looks very slim which is why there are concerns about whether Viktor Gyokeres or Victor Osimhen will agree to move to Manchester in the summer.
But as Givemesport have now claimed, Quenda has no such qualms and is ready to move even if there is no European football on offer.
Interestingly, the report also claims that the Red Devils will not need to sanction major departures before agreeing a move for the wingback, which basically means he is not going to cost much.
Ready to move even without CL football
“Manchester United are looking to push through a pre-summer agreement for Quenda, according to GMS sources, and they have been given a significant boost in their pursuit as he is open to completing the move regardless of whether his admirers succeed in their attempts to secure a European qualification berth in the final months of the season.
“GMS sources have been informed that Manchester United are confident they will be able to recruit Quenda without having to sanction big-name departures first, which will not be the case when it comes to other targets due to needing to ease the strain on the wage bill, leading to Amorim making his arrival an early priority to get the ball rolling ahead of the summer.”
The wing-back, who has a contract until 2027, has a release clause of just over £80 million, an amount Sporting are unlikely to earn.
He has already reportedly agreed personal terms with the 20-time English league champions and Sporting are asking for around £50 million, although United are looking to complete the deal for around £40 million.
Feature image Diogo Cardoso via Getty Images
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Ayantan Chowdhury
Ayantan has worked for 10 years in the Indian sports media industry, writing for the biggest newspapers and websites but his heart was always set on writing about his favourite club. Currently an editor at The Peoples Person. You can follow him on X: @ayantanc_25
