Sridhar Bhamidi
It is the international break but there is no shortage of excitement for Manchester United fans. Along with news of players returning from injury – Paul Pogba to be specific – the news of a new signing has kept the fans happy.
According to reports in the Portuguese paper Record, the Red Devils have signed Umaro Embalo from Benfica for an undisclosed fee. This comes in the wake of reports through the summer that United were interested in the youngster.
In fact, it was reported in the summer that the Red Devils made an offer for signing the player although it wasn’t authenticated.
What makes this signing special is that United have reportedly trumped the interest from continental giants Real Madrid. The Spanish champions seem to have offered €10m for the forward. There is no news as to how much United have paid to Benfica.
This puts an end to the long-term scouting of the player who has been on the horizon for more than a year. Embalo is of Guinean heritage and was picked by Benfica in 2014 during a holiday camp.
The youngster is often compared to former United star Angel di Maria, as he plays on the right-hand side and can cut on his left foot.
He has scored 5 goals in 12 matches for the Portuguese youth side this season. Embalo also played twice against Manchester United in the UEFA Youth League this year and seems to have impressed the scouts. Embalo has also turned up for Portugal’s Under-17 side and has scored 15 goals in 18 matches.
What should hearten the fans is that this signing highlights the importance given by the club in improving the youth prospects. After being overtaken by Manchester City in the recent past, the academy recruitment has picked up pace this year.
Embalo is just a new name in the long list of Portuguese attackers and Benfica fans would be sad to see him leave. Will he fulfil his huge potential at Old Trafford is a question for the future!
What do you think of Embalo?
