It has not been the worst start for Jose Mourinho at Manchester United at all but it hasn’t been a Special Start either. Sitting 6th with 12 points from six games in the league, there are a number of areas in the team that need to be addressed and therefore, we could maybe see the Red Devils being quite active in the coming winter transfer window.
After three back to back losses in all competitions, the Red Devils came back to winning ways this weekend with a 4-1 win over champions Leicester City. Mourinho will be keen to build on the solid last win but the fact is the squad is desperately craving for quality players.
Being a Portuguese himself, Mourinho is well-known to the crop of best young talents coming out of his country and as per Portuguese newspaper Record, the Red Devils are keen on the signing of Sporting Lisbon winger Gelson Martins. The 21-year-old fleet-footed winger is right now one of the hottest prospects in European football and his good performances have not gone unnoticed.
Record claims that Manchester United sent scouts to watch the youngster in action against Legia Warsaw in the Champions League yesterday night. The 21-year-old started the game and played 76 minutes helping his side mount a 2-0 win.
The Portuguese under-21 international has been in impressive form since the start of the season, scoring 2 goals and providing 3 assists in 6 Primeira Liga games for the Lions in all competitions so far which has also attracted interest from Champions League holders Real Madrid as per the same report from Record.
Martins is a versatile player who offers his best if deployed on the right flank but can also ply his trade as a number ten or on the left flank. Unlike most modern day wingers, the Portuguese starlet has a good crossing ability and can create a strong partnership with Zlatan Ibrahimović.
Despite Manchester United breaking the bank on Mkhitaryan this summer, the Armenian has failed to make a place for himself in the starting lineup. So, the right flank position is still up for grabs and Martins can make it his own on the long run. Thanks his pace, the 21-year-old can outrun most defenders in the Premier League. He is an either-footed player which is an impressive trait for wingers nowadays.
After playing more than 50 times for Sporting till date, it is time for the youngster to take the next step. If Manchester United come calling for a player, very few can turn it down but one thing Martins has to make sure that his growth does not get stalled after the move. Cristiano Ronaldo also made his name from the academy of Sporting and went onto United to become one of the best players of all time. Martins has all the ingredients to become the next big success story from Portugal.
