Why Manchester United should try and win the race for Ronaldo Camara

According to the Daily Mail, Manchester United are among a host of elite clubs in Europe keeping a close eye on unsettled Benfica prospect Ronaldo Camara.

Premier League rivals Man City and La Liga giants Barcelona have also been linked with the 18-year-old, who is out of contract in Portugal next summer. While Benfica are eager to tie him down to fresh terms, the teenager has so far refused to commit his future to the club. (h/t Daily Mail)

The attacking midfielder’s unresolved contract scenario at Benfica has understandably put several clubs across the continent on red alert. Camara has been dropped from Benfica’s B squad, with the Portuguese giants facing the risk of losing one of their brightest emerging talents for a small compensation fee in the summer. 

Profile

Born in Guinea-Bissau, Ronaldo Camara migrated to Portugal as a youngster and started his footballing education at Sporting Lisbon. He eventually joined Benfica’s academy after spending three years at Sporting between 2012 and 2015. 

The highly-rated attacking midfielder shot to prominence with a string of impressive displays in the UEFA Youth League last season. Camara scored once in 9 games in the competition as Benfica finished runners-up to Real Madrid.

He also made his senior debut for Benfica B in the Portuguese second-tier in 2019-20 and has continued to excel at that level, scoring twice in 9 appearances so far.

Camara has represented Portugal across various age-groups, having burst on to the scene for the U-17s at the tender age of 14. However, the youngster is yet to make a single appearance for Benfica’s first-team. 

A good long-term investment for Manchester United?

Man United have shown plenty of activity in terms of their youth recruitment drive since the appointment of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

United grabbed the headlines with the signing of Atalanta teenager Amad Diallo. Back in the summer, Facundo Pellistri was a flagship arrival from Uruguayan club Penarol. Marc Jurado, Alejandro Garnacho, Charlie McNeil and Isak Hansen-Aaroen came through the door too.

A potential deal for Ronaldo Camara, to that end, would represent a continuation of Man United’s recent trend of snapping up talented youngsters in the market. The 18-year-old has shown great potential at Benfica, featuring for the club’s reserve side and also in the UEFA Youth League. 

He’s yet to play in the top-flight in Portugal but is widely regarded as a player with the potential to make the grade in any top league across the continent. Hence, with the teenager’s contract at Benfica due to expire in the summer, the door remains open for Man United to cherry-pick yet another top emerging prospect as a part of their long-term plans.

Verdict

Ronaldo Camara still has plenty of stages left in his development curve before he evolves into a finished article capable of staking a claim for a first-team role at Manchester United.

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However, his early potential certainly points to a bright future in the game, meaning the Red Devils have enough reason to hope that Camara would be able to cut the teeth in English football with proper nurturing.