Rijo Sam Daniel
Manchester United scouts present at Porto vs Sporting amidst Joao Palhinha links
According to the Portuguese publication O Jogo (h/t The Express), Manchester United had sent their scouts to the Porto vs Sporting Lisbon tie to keep tabs on Joao Palhinha. The 26-year-old star has been one of the standout performers for Sporting this season.
A cluster of clubs namely Sevilla, Villarreal, Celta Vigo, Atletico Madrid, Juventus, Fiorentina, Atalanta, Nice, Monaco, Montpellier, Borussia Dortmund and RB Leipzig were present at the highly contested league fixture. However, it is unknown who exactly they were keeping tabs on during the match.
Representatives from several unnamed English clubs were also present at the Estadio do Dragao to witness the hotly contested tie. Unfortunately for Man United, Palhinha started the match on the bench and even got himself sent off in added time.
Palhinha a summer target?
The Portuguese star has seen himself rise to the top over the past year or so, which helped him gain a spot with the national team. Even though the midfielder has been a late bloomer, he could continue to develop even further in a better team and system.
The 26-year-old has been a regular for the Portuguese champions this season, having featured in 29 matches across all competitions for them. The defensive midfielder has garnered three goals during that time, contributing to the team’s success so far as they challenge to retain the league title.
Our need for defensive midfielders is well known at this point, looking at how we have not fared well due to the instability within the team. It does not help that our three options and Nemanja Matic, Fred and Scott McTominay, who each have their own issues that also contribute to the team’s shortcomings.
Man United have signed the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Nani and recently Bruno Fernandes from Sporting. There is a proven track record of Portuguese players succeeding after such a move and it remains to be seen if Palhinha will be the latest player to be added to the list.
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Palhinha certainly is a decent option but the Red Devils can do with someone better. Addressing the weakness is essential going into the 2022-23 season. We cannot afford to turn a blind eye to the team’s needs, potentially jeopardizing yet another campaign.
Matic, our lone specialist defensive midfielder is well past his time and needs to be replaced at the earliest. Whether a summer move for the Sporting ace is on the cards remains to be seen.
