Sridhar Bhamidi
Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho took another step in his pursuit of AS Roma midfielder Radja Nainggolan by sending scouts. The Sun reports that the Portuguese tactician is all set to step-up his chase for the no-nonsense midfielder as he sees him as a perfect replacement for Michael Carrick.
The Red Devils’ club captain is out of contract next season and is believed to be ready to move out of active football to get involved in player management. Even if he doesn’t move into management immediately, the midfielder may not stay at Old Trafford, as questions persist on the club’s intention of holding onto him.
The United boss is already scouting for perfect replacements and on top of his list is the 29-year-old Belgian midfielder. Nainggolan is a long-term target of Mourinho and United, with scouts having been sent to watch him recently in the Champions League match against Atletico Madrid.
With a couple of other long-term club targets like Antoine Griezmann and Saul Niguez on display in that match, it was thought that the United scouts were watching the duo. However, reports indicate that Nainggolan was also on top of their list.
Mourinho remains hopeful of landing French striker Griezmann next season, or even as early as January, but it is the interest in Nainggolan that is making waves.
Our interest in the hard-tackling player is no recent news as he gets linked to the entry door at Old Trafford, summer after summer. Even Chelsea were interested in the player and lined him up as a replacement for Nemanja Matic when the Serbian joined us this summer.
Talking of that, the retirement or the departure of Carrick will leave a gaping hole in the midfield and Mourinho feels that the Belgian would be a perfect fit. With his experience in Europe, he can be a vital player for us.
So, is Nainggolan’s transfer feasible? Although the player seems committed to Roma, the presence of Jose Mourinho could swing things in our favour.
As long as the Portuguese tactician is seriously interested in getting the player, there’s every chance that we will get the player.
