Manchester United failed to finish in the top-4 of the points table last season but their European campaign meant that they found a backdoor to the Champions League for the next season. This meant that they had to improve on a number of positions in the squad and Mourinho has been pro-active, having already completed the signing of a defender in Victor Lindelof.
The Swedish international is expected to be the first choice next season for the Red Devils alongside Eric Bailly, who has been in terrific form for the club, since his move a year ago. However, it looks like Mourinho is not happy with the options at his disposal and wants to further improve his backline and has this time set his eyes on a full-back from Portugal.
According to Spanish news outfit, Mundo Deportivo, Manchester United have submitted a bid for Benfica defender Nelson Semedo. Also a transfer target for Barcelona, Semedo is one of the most attractive players in that role at the moment in Europe and reports claim that United have submitted a bid for him just days after finalising Lindelof’s deal.
Known for his marauding runs into the final third, Semedo is a creative full-back who like to dominate the game and play in attack for most game. With excellent dribbling and an even better vision, the 23-year old Portuguese international has two goals and 12 assists to his name in all competitions last season and has been in terrific form for Benfica.
A disciplined defender, who can shut shop when required, Semedo will surely add quality to the attacking front of the side and his defensive abilities will only improve with age. The Red Devils have used Antonio Valencia in this role extensively and Mourinho has a soft spot for the Ecuador star, having signed him up for another year.
However, Matteo Darmian was the only other backup in the first team at right-back and Mourinho wants to solve this problem once and for all. Valencia is still 31 and has at least a year of top flight football left in him. Semedo has never played outside Portugal and will take time to adjust to the conditions in England.
This is the perfect situation for Manchester United as they can stick with their veteran in the first team next season, and use Semedo as an understudy, giving him chances in the cup games. If he can impress Mourinho, it will not take too long for him to cement a place in the first team. His time with Lindelof in Portugal will also allow both players to settle in well into the first team at Old Trafford. So do you think Manchester United should do what it takes to land Semedo this summer?
