Sridhar Bhamidi
Manchester United are reportedly interested in SL Benfica wonderkid Umaro Embalo and are all set to take on Real Madrid for the signature of this talented youngster.
According to reports in The Sun, United are ready to press ahead with their interest in the youngster after following his development for quite some time.
The 17-year-old teenager was watched by the United scouts in the UEFA Youth League clash prior to the Champions League encounter between Manchester United and Benfica on Wednesday night.
While the senior team came out with a 1-0 win thanks to a Marcus Rashford strike, the youngsters ended up sharing the spoil after a hard-fought 2-2 draw earlier in the afternoon.
United chief scout Javier Ribalta was in the audience to watch the youth side and his eyes were on Embalo. The teenager did not get much of a chance to impress, as he was introduced from the bench after 65 minutes. However, it is claimed that the 17-year-old is being closely monitored by the Red Devils.
Spanish giants Real Madrid are also interested in the player, together with a number of clubs who are following his development at Benfica very keenly.
Embalo can play either as a winger or a striker and can offer a potent option in the final third. He was born in Guinea-Bissau but has represented Portugal at youth level.
He has enjoyed vast success at youth level, notching up 15 goals in 18 outings for the Under-17 national side. Embalo has featured in all three Benfica Under-19 UEFA Youth League matches so far, and the club expects him to break into their ‘B’ side soon.
The youngster joined Benfica from AD Oieras in 2015 and has ever since been hogging the headlines as one of the brightest attacking talents in the younger levels for Portugal.
Embalo is likened to one of the best talents to have come out of Portugal – Cristiano Ronaldo. It is too early to bring out comparisons and put undue pressure on the youngster. But, let’s hope he continues to impress for Benfica and makes a move to Manchester United just like his idol.
