Nuno Mendes (Image credit: Google)
According to O Jogo (h/t Daily Star), Manchester United are monitoring Sporting Lisbon youngster Nuno Mendes ahead of the summer transfer window.
Mendes, 18, rose through the ranks of Sporting’s youth system and was successful with the youth teams before getting promoted to the senior set-up last January. He is one of the most exciting young talents in Portugal.
Since making his debut for the Portuguese outfit last month, he has been a regular starter and has enjoyed success so far. He has been impressive so far in his senior career. Thus, United should make a move for Mendes, who has a release clause of £41m.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men have qualified for next season’s Champions League after beating Leicester City on the final day. However, it is time for the manager to focus on the future and take the club to where it belongs at the highest level. And that can happen only if they bring in youngsters to the squad. Thus, Solskjaer should invest in the youth for the future if they want to compete for various titles.
At the moment, United have two left-backs in Luke Shaw and Brandon Williams in their ranks. Shaw has been brilliant in recent months and his absence in the last few games was felt by the team. However, he has struggled with injuries in the last couple of seasons and has missed a lot of games. And his consistency has been a big question mark.
Young Williams’ rise to the top has been rather swift. He has also done a decent job whenever called upon but hasn’t yet claimed the spot for himself. And thus, bringing in competition for the two aforementioned names would be a boost for the club.
In that regard, signing Mendes would help them secure their future at left-back. The Portuguese U19 international has shown immense quality in his youth days and has also continued with the fine form for the senior team.
Adding him to the squad would definitely help the club in the future when there is healthy competition for the spot. And with experience, he could be a crucial player for the Red Devils in the future.
Though United have two good left-backs, they need to invest in the youth. Solskjaer has given a lot of chances to the youngsters this season and Mendes would also be able to show his abilities. And if he is able to continue with the good form, United would definitely reap rewards in the future.
