Manchester United are flying high under Ole Gunnar Solskjær, their former striking sensation who has been appointed in an interim role in place of the sacked Jose Mourinho. The Norwegian has scripted eight successive wins since accepting the challenge and transformed the Red Devils into a dangerous counter-attacking side from a deep-defending outfit.
But the Premier League runners-up last season are pretty much out of the title equation and battling it out to clinch a Champions League berth ahead of Arsenal and Chelsea. Despite scripting a resurgence, their current squad lack consistency and requires reinforcements prior to the start of the next campaign.
United, meanwhile, have been keeping close tabs on Dutch sensation Steven Bergwijn for quite a while and are now in discussion with PSV Eindhoven over a possible transfer for their prized asset, according to the Mirror.
Bergwijn, 21, has taken the Eredivisie by storm by scoring and assisting ten times each for the league leaders so far this term. He is instrumental from both the flanks and is also capable of featuring as a ‘number 10’ if the situation demands. His dribbling attribute, ability to release through balls and key passes from the wide area makes him a man in demand among the European heavyweights.
The Red Devils are expected to rival Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur, Bayern Munich and Inter Milan to rope in the youngster but, at the same time, have shown more inclination over others having scouted him extensively in recent weeks.
Man United’s scouts were present last week in their 2-2 draw against FC Emmen, and the English club reportedly contacted PSV asking them to inform on their stance and future plans regarding Bergwijn. The Dutch heavyweights, however, are believed to have set a valuation of €20m for the attacker and United must not think twice before splashing the cash to acquire one of Europe’s most promising prospects in their ranks.
Although the player is yet to prove his worth in a top league, PSV’s asking fee is quite feasible in today’s inflated transfer market. Manchester United, nevertheless, must be in a quandary following the failure of Memphis Depay in a similar switch from Eredivisie in the recent past. But they have a lethal front three of Anthony Martial, Marcus Rashford and Jesse Lingard whereas the likes of Romelu Lukaku and Alexis Sanchez are being rotated to utilise the depth in their attacking third.
Lingard, meanwhile, needs competition on the right flank and the Dutchman should be able to provide that for a while before being handed a starting role in the upcoming years. Depay was thrown straight into the first-team action setting the expectations high from the very first day of his arrival in Carrington. This, however, won’t be the case with Bergwijn though as the Red Devils must have learnt from their mistake by now.
