Manchester United Register Interest In £51.5m-Rated La Liga Winger: Is He Needed At Old Trafford?

Recent reports from Spanish media outlet AS suggest that Manchester United are keen on signing Atletico Madrid winger Yannick Carrasco in the ongoing transfer window as Erik Ten Hag looks set to add to his attacking options ahead of the 2022/23 season.

‘And yet, there is another big name on the table. It is that of Yannick Carrasco (28 years old). The Belgian, who has been the name of the Roji Blanca last season (due to his great performance throughout the course), has important offers from the Premier. As AS has learned, mainly Chelsea, Tottenham and Manchester United have knocked on his door with the idea of ​​probing the possibility of a change of scenery this summer.’ – The translated version of the report stated.

With the Belgian international’s contract running until 2024, he does not want to switch teams as he has been very comfortable since his return to Metropolitano Stadium. Likewise, the player is a fundamental part of Diego Simeone’s plans for the upcoming season. However, being on the club’s average salary scale, Carrasco wants his contract to be reviewed with the hopes of an increment in salary.

Having come through the ranks at Genk and Monaco, Yannick Carrasco signed for Atletico Madrid in the summer of 2015 for a fee in the region of £13 million. He found no success in the Spanish capital in his first three seasons, so he spent a couple of years at Chinese Super League club DL Pro. However, since his return to Madrid in 2020, he has been an integral part of Diego Simeone’s starting eleven.

Over the course of the last eight years, the 28-year-old forward has made 219 appearances for the Rojiblancos, scoring thirty-seven goals and assisting thirty-nine more across all competitions. Even last season, he managed to put up some awe-inspiring numbers on the board as he averaged 1.5 shots, 1.6 key passes, 2.6 dribbles, and 1.2 crosses per ninety minutes in the Spanish top-flight (calculated across 34 appearances). Capable of playing as a left-winger, left-midfielder, right-winger, and even as a left-wing-back at times, versatility is one of his main strengths.

Is He Needed At Old Trafford?

The transfer target might surprise the fans because Manchester United has other key areas to improve upon rather than signing a winger. The likes of Jadon Sancho, Marcus Rashford, Anthony Elanga, and Anthony Martial should be sufficient for the upcoming season. Instead, the 60 million euros (Carrasco’s release clause) should be spent on recruiting a quality centre-half or a holding midfielder.

(Stats from WhoScored)