According to a recent report from The Sun, Manchester United are keen on securing the services of 19-year-old Ecuador midfielder Moises Caicedo for a transfer fee of around £4.5 million as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer looks set to bolster his options at the centre of the park.
Scouting Moises Caicedo: The Sudden Rise, Strengths and Weaknesses
Having come through the youth ranks at Espoli and Colorados SC, Caicedo currently plays for Ecuadorian Serie A side Independiente del Valle (IdV), the club he joined at the age of thirteen. Besides making four senior appearances for his national team, Caicedo has already bagged six goals and two assists in 31 outings across all competitions at club level – all at the age of 19. A string of impressive performances in 2022 World Cup qualification campaign saw him earn the attention of several European elites; however, the youngster seems to have his heart set on a move to the Old Trafford (as stated in the same report).
The Ecuador International’s style of play is somewhat different from the orthodox defensive midfielders; he’ll put in clean tackles to win the ball in his own half of the pitch and then set the attackers on goal by delivering defence-splitting passes upfield. His key attributes include agility, tactical awareness, physical strength, and vision – the traits that make him an unbelievable asset both offensively and defensively.
However, the 19-year-old midfield maestro certainly lags when it comes to experience at the biggest stage. The Premier League is certainly a huge step up from the Ecuadorian Domestic league. The burden of performing at the top level week in week out will certainly put too much weight on his tender shoulders. Having said that, Caicedo has always embraced challenges that have come his way and given his current form, one can satisfactorily conclude that he seems to be cut for the very top.
(Stats from Transfermarkt)
What will he add to the Manchester club?
Nemanja Matic will turn 33 next year whereas Paul Pogba seems set to leave the club in the coming months. Moises Caicedo can act as a direct replacement for the Frenchman in the long term but could be asked to follow the footsteps of Facundo Pellistri and Amad Diallo in the Under 23’s before making his first-team debut for the Red Devils. The youngster’s arrival at Old Trafford will undoubtedly strengthen Solskjaer’s midfield department, and he could potentially be the final piece of the puzzle the Norwegian tactician needs to turn Manchester United into serious title contenders.
