Lokomotiv Moscow's Russian midfielder Aleksey Miranchuk celebrates after scoring a goal during the UEFA Champions League group D football match between FC Lokomotiv Moscow and Juventus at Moscow's RZD Arena stadium on November 6, 2019. (Getty Images)
According to claims from TuttoMercatoWeb (h/t Daily Star) back in December last year, Manchester United were among some of the top clubs in Europe to be credited with an interest in Lokomotiv Moscow playmaker Aleksey Miranchuk.
It was reported that the Red Devils were readying a £35million bid for the Russian international, who was also on the radar of AC Milan, Juventus and Lazio. However, nothing came of those rumours and United eventually turned their attention to other targets in the summer.
A youth product of Lokomotiv Moscow, Aleksey Miranchuk made his first-team debut for his boyhood club back during the 2012-13 season. He has gradually established himself as one of the best attacking midfielders in the Russian Premier League over the past few years.
The 25-year-old has amassed an impressive tally of 43 goals and 45 assists in 228 appearances for Lokomotiv Moscow in all competitions. Miranchuk has also caught the eye in the Champions League and earned rave reviews after scoring twice against Juventus in Europe’s elite club competition last season.
Miranchuk made his senior international debut for Russia back in 2015 and has since scored 5 goals in 25 appearances, representing his nation at the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
Having grabbed the headlines with a sensational swoop for Donny van de Beek earlier in the summer, Manchester United completed the transfer window with a late flurry of deals for Edinson Cavani, Alex Telles, Facundo Pellestri and Amad Diallo.
Van de Beek, Telles, and Cavani are all expected to be a key part of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s plans for the ongoing campaign, while Traore and Pellestri, both 18, have been signed with one eye on the future.
Cavani’s arrival is expected to reduce the burden on the likes of Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford, while also adding some much-needed quality and experience to the club’s options in front of goal. However, there are still a few areas that need strengthening, and United should ideally look to bring in another versatile creative midfielder to boost their squad dynamics.
Van de Beek and Bruno Fernades are, of course, right up there with the very best in Europe, but United need another squad player in that department, with Juan Mata past his prime, Angel Gomes no longer in the mix, and Jesse Lingard failing to create anything noteworthy.
To put things into perspective, Man United should make a renewed attempt to sign Aleksey Miranchuk when the transfer window reopens in January. Essentially an out-and-out No.10 by trade, Miranchuk is versatile enough to operate on either flank and also up top as a supporting striker.
That coupled with his proven track record of goals and assists means that a potential deal for the Russian would provide Solskjaer with some quality back-up in more than one position across the final third. The fact that he’s left-footed could make Miranchuk a long-term replacement for Mata, while offering something different when compared to Fernandes and Van de Beek.
Aleksey Miranchuk has more than held his own against top-quality opposition in the Champions League, which clearly suggests that he’s ready to make the transition to a more competitive league. The 25-year-old still has his best years ahead of him and United making a move for the Russian playmaker would pay off handsomely for their long-term plans.