Jose Mourinho has struggled to make his ‘special’ impact at Manchester United after taking the job at Old Trafford in the summer from his mentor Louis van Gaal. After 14 game weeks, the Red Devils are 13 points behind league leaders Chelsea and nine points adrift the fourth and final Champions League spot. Absolutely nothing is going in Mourinho’s way lately and probably the only answer to this crisis is to bolster the squad with quality players in the upcoming January transfer window.
Manchester United are keen to sign Feyenoord right-back Rick Karsdorp, according to reliable Italian news website Calciomercato. The Red Devils are reportedly impressed by Karsdorp’s performances for the Rotterdam outfit this season, but Bayern Munich, Inter Milan, Arsenal and Monaco are also believed to be interested in securing the right-back’s services as per the same report.
Feyenoord have been impressive as a unit this season and are topping the Eredivisie table right now and Karsdorp’s impressive form has been a key reason behind that. In the process, he has also earned him a place in the Netherlands national team. The 21-year-old has already played 23 games in all competitions for Feyenoord this term, scoring 1 goal and providing 5 assists.
The right-back position has been problematic for Manchester United in the recent years and this season has been no exception. A winger by trade, Antonio Valencia has done really well at right-back this season but he is 31 now and does not seem to be in long-term plans. At the same time, his injury records are not the best. Matteo Darmian has been below par whenever he has been given a chance this campaign and the Red Devils looking for a new right-back is no big surprise.
Feyenoord have produced some amazing footballers over the years and Karsdorp looks like the next big thing from the Eredivisie giants. He already has 83 appearances for the Rotterdam side to his name and has been a regular assist provider. He has scored just once but has set up as many as 17 assists which speak about his excellent attacking forays.
With his tall frame, the Dutchman possesses an aerial threat and more so than most right-backs in the world. He is quite a strong player and has the pace to trouble any defence when he bursts forward. The Dutch international has averaged 1.2 key passes every game this season and has played as many as 7.3 long balls. He is also a good crosser and blessed with an excellent concentration which will only develop further under Mourinho.
Just 21 years of age, Karsdorp has his best days ahead of him and can become a success at Old Trafford in the long run. We have seen many Dutch players succeed at Manchester United in the past like van der Sar, van Nistelrooy, Stam, van Persie and Karsdorp has all it takes to follow in their footsteps.
