Though a proven talent, this £100k-a-week star is not who Man United should sign

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4 years ago

Douglas Costa Muenchen Borussia Mönchengladbach - FC Bayern München 08.01.2021, Fussball 1. Bundesliga, Saison 2020/21 Foto: Moritz Müller *** Douglas Costa Munich Borussia Mönchengladbach FC Bayern Munich 08 01 2021, Football 1 Bundesliga, Season 2020 21 Photo Moritz Müller

Why Manchester United should avoid a move for Douglas Costa

According to The Sun, Manchester United have been given a clear path to sign Douglas Costa. The Juventus winger is on loan at Bayern Munich but featured for Juve this season prior to moving. However, FIFA rules do not allow a player to play for three teams in a season but due to the pandemic situation, the rule has been relaxed.

Manchester United still need a right-sided forward

Amidst all the joy and fervour of Manchester United competing for the title, it’s easy to forget that the side still has some notable deficiencies. One of which is rather long-standing. It has been close to a decade that Manchester United had a specialist right-winger in the side.

The club have tried a plethora of makeshift players in the hope that it works out. Jesse Lingard, Juan Mata, Daniel James, Marcus Rashford and Mason Greenwood have all featured in that role. Only Greenwood looked half decent but the fact remains that he is more suited to the central role ever since his academy days.

Manchester United’s English striker Mason Greenwood runs with the ball during the English Premier League football match between Manchester United and Arsenal at Old Trafford in Manchester, north west England, on November 1, 2020. (Photo by PAUL ELLIS/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

The club chased Jadon Sancho with all they had but their efforts fell short of Dortmund’s valuation. The effect is visible as Manchester United look lopsided in their attack. Rashford looks uneasy in that role and Greenwood is having a bit of a cold patch. Adding a player to that position remains vital.

Douglas Costa is not the right player for Manchester United

While it would seem absurd to pass up on an experienced right-winger given the club’s long-term search for one, one needs to remember that this isn’t the same Douglas Costa of maybe even two years ago. The Brazilian has deteriorated on a yearly basis in terms of output and even his age doesn’t suit the type of players signed by United in recent times.

Douglas Costa (Getty Images)

Costa has been in poor form ever since 2018 for Juventus and then Bayern. He is yet to hit double digits in terms of goals and assists in the last two and a half seasons for Juventus and Bayern so far (h/t Transfermarkt).

Let’s not forget that Costa also currently earns £100,000-a-week. United must resist the urge to agree to this deal.

Sourav Ghosh