Pranav Nair
Manchester United keeping tabs on Sporting Lisbon duo Nuno Mendes and Eduardo Quaresma
According to Portuguese publication A Bola (h/t Express), Manchester United are keeping tabs on Sporting Lisbon duo Nuno Mendes and Eduardo Quaresma.
Despite having a strong left-back presence in Luke Shaw and an able understudy in Brandon Williams, United are keen to add Mendes to the roster.
His teammate Quaresma is a central defender who has come through Sporting’s youth ranks. Both players are just 18 and are considered to be among the brightest prospects in Europe.
Mendes has featured 17 times for the club’s U17 side, scoring one and setting up three more. Quaresma, on the other hand, has just made nine appearances so far for the first-team this season.
The duo shares the same agent as United superstar Bruno Fernandes -Miguel Pinho. This can augur well in our efforts to sign them this summer.
According to the report, a deal will require some work in order to be completed. However, United’s close relationship with Pinho gives them hope it can be achieved.
Shaw and Williams have done well at left-back this season. However, competition is not a bad thing and is a good trait to have in a squad attempting to challenge for the top.
Fresh blood and competition the way to go
Williams, for all his talent, still has ways to go. This was made clear as West Ham United winger Jarrod Bowen ran circles around him in the 1-1 draw at Old Trafford. Having another young player pushing him could spur him on to improve as well.
Mendes will not come cheap, with the Iberian giants valuing their young star at £41m.
Central defence is another area United is keen to strengthen in the summer window. United are on the lookout for another defender to partner Harry Maguire.
Eric Bailly and Axel Tuanzebe have become too injury prone, causing Ole Gunnar Solskajer to seek reinforcements.
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United have had good luck with players signed from Sporting. Cristiano Ronaldo turned into a footballing legend while Nani too enjoyed considerable success.
Fernandes has revolutionized the United midfield since moving to the club in January. Mendes and Quaresma could help see that trend continue.
