Rohan Sengupta
Jose Mourinho wants to strengthen Manchester United squad when the transfer window reopens in January. The United boss is keen on strengthening his side’s attack by bringing in a new winger and also to give himself more options in the middle of the pitch by adding a midfielder.
According to Manchester Evening News, United are interested in signing Bordeaux forward Malcom. Mourinho believes that the 20-year-old could add fresh impetus to the squad and prove to be the missing piece in United’s jigsaw despite his inexperience.
There’s been no stopping the Sao Paulo-born winger, who scored 7 goals and assisted 4 in his first full season in France. In 2017-18, Malcom has already matched his goals tally from last season by netting 7 and the improved goal-scoring record is partially down to a change from being an out-and-out wide man to being able to operate centrally.
Mourinho wanted United to sign Inter Milan winger Ivan Perisic in the summer. However, the Red Devils’ failure to agree on a fee with the Serie A outfit for the Croatian international resulted in the winger continuing his trade at San Siro.
The MEN’s report further states that the United gaffer wanted to bring in a “magician” forward in the midseason transfer window. Atletico Madrid forward Antoine Griezmann and Real Madrid’s Welsh wizard Gareth Bale have been looked at as the options.
In addition, the 20-time English champions are also keen to reinforce the midfield, despite signing Nemanja Matic from Chelsea in the summer. Marouane Fellaini has missed two months of the season with a knee injury and Michael Carrick has not played since September 20 after undergoing a heart procedure.
Fellaini, 30, rejected a new contract in September and could leave on a free transfer in the summer. Carrick is expected to hang up his boots at the end of the season. This leaves Mourinho with only three midfielders in Paul Pogba, Ander Herrera and academy kid Scott McTominay.
It should be seen whether United will be able to complete the two signings in January, with Mourinho admitting last week that he is open to make transfer deals in the New Year despite not being a fan of the winter transfer window.
“I’m not a big defender of the January market but there are players and situations that sometimes you have the chance to do and you shouldn’t lose the chance,” Mourinho said.
Though Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford have blossomed out wide, our Portuguese boss supposedly wants Malcom, who has flourished for Bordeaux in Ligue 1 and could bring a new attacking verve that Manchester United desperately needs.
