Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim is slowly phasing out players who do not fit his system with experienced duo Christian Eriksen and Casemiro both linked with January exits.
The Dane has managed only three starts since the Portuguese took charge while his Brazilian teammate has started only four times with both heavily criticised for their dismal display against Newcastle a week ago.
Whether the club can sell both in January remains to be seen but a replacement will be needed before next season and instead of high-profile names, the club are looking at a diamond in the rough from Argentina.
As relayed by Sport Witness, the Red Devils are looking at Velez Sarsfield’s Christian Ordonez but there is also interest in the young Argentine from Europe as well as South America.
Race on for Ordonez
Brentford are also eyeing the versatile midfielder, who already has 70 starts for the senior team, while Bologna are trying to forge ahead in the race by trying to set up a meeting with Velez.
River Plate are also in the race but the Serie A side are confident that they can win the tussle given their great relationship with the Argentine club, from where they had signed striker Santiago Castro last year.
Local media, however, have a different version to say. As per Argentinian outlet Velez670 Radio, Ordonez’s club is expecting a bid from the Old Trafford side very soon.
“Velez are waiting for an offer from Manchester United for Cristian Ordonez in the coming days. The attacking midfield champion who is also wanted by Brentford, Bologna and River Plate.”
Bid incoming
The 20-year-old is a central midfielder by trade but has largely been deployed as a defensive midfielder. He has a release clause of €10 million in his current deal.
Should INEOS manage to win the race for his signature, expectations must be tempered owing to the player’s relatively young age.
He cannot be expected to be an instant starter but with time, he certainly has the qualities, especially on the ball, to succeed at a club the size of United.
It is also refreshing to see the club finally scouting in the South American market, a region often neglected by the Glazers in the past.
Feature image Daniel Jayo via Getty Images
Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social
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
