Manchester United are going through a terrible run in the league at the moment as the Red Devils succumbed to yet another defeat last Sunday against a ruthless Tottenham Hotspur side at White Hart Lane. And their congested Europa League fixtures haven’t helped Jose Mourinho at all.
The Portuguese manager hasn’t shied away from expressing it as he is finding it excessively difficult to choose his first eleven, which would keep his players away from the risk of injuries amidst the last few gruelling weeks. With the top four chances more or less gone, United will have to bank solely on the Europa League final against Ajax.
However, this doesn’t help ignore the fact that summer signings worth of a mammoth £150 million haven’t been enough for United to perform better. Except for the EFL Cup, where they beat Southampton in the final, United’s performance against the top six teams especially away from home has been nightmarish.
In the Europa League final too, they were pitted against FC Rostov, St. Etienne, Anderlecht and Celta de Vigo to reach the finals. Hence, Mourinho’s stance of going out next summer even more aggressively is only understood. United have been linked with numerous highly-rated players across Europe since the last two months following their poor season, and the latest name to join is FC Porto’s, Yacine Brahimi.
According to latest reports, United are eyeing to bring in a world class winger to the side after an unconvincing season from Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Anthony Martial and Jese Lingard, and this Algerian international has been picked up as the ideal candidate for the job.
Brahimi certainly has the potential to be an exciting winger on that left flank, although he hasn’t been very productive this season. He could manage only five goals and four assists so far, in 20 league appearances. Yes, he hasn’t been a regular at the club, but with the ball at his feet, he has been unstoppable. Reportedly, the 27-year-old has completed more dribbles (74) than any other player in Liga NOS this season.
It is the absence of end product that has restricted him in the first team it seems, but it could be changed by Mourinho. The former FC Porto boss has used Lingard quite effectively on the right wing this season as a pressing winger primarily and a secondary striker to Marcus Rashford when United have possession.
Brahimi is bound to improve under Mourinho especially when his offensive attributes suit United’s attacking front. However, FC Porto has labelled his buyout clause at a staggering £51 million reportedly and United will think twice before splashing it.
