Glenn Fernandes
Manchester United closely following Southampton right-back Tino Livramento
According to Calciomercato via mufcMPB (h/t Manchester Evening News), teenage wing-back Tino Livramento is on the radar of Manchester United.
The 19-year-old joined Southampton last season and is slowly making a name for himself. Livramento has already played 23 matches across all competitions for the Saints this campaign and has scored one goal while providing two assists.
The young defender has shown immense potential ever since he joined Ralph Hasenhüttl’s side. The former Chelsea player started to make a name for himself with the Blues and the West Londoners have also inserted a £40million buy-back clause in his current deal with Southampton.
Man United have certainly had a change in tactics since Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s sacking, with Rangnick focusing on pressing amongst other things. Diogo Dalot has emerged as one of the in-form stars in recent months as his skills in the attacking side of the play continues to give him an edge over Aaron Wan-Bissaka.
The wing-backs are a very important part of modern-day football and are mostly seen as pseudo-wingers who are not only expected to defend but also assist the team going forward. Whilst the likes of Luke Shaw and Aaron-Wan-Bissaka had a great run last season, they have struggled to recreate that kind of form this campaign.
Makes little sense
Diogo Dalot has been a primary feature under Rangnick but while fans have seen him do well when attacking, his defending is arguably one thing where he can still improve. But that doesn’t mean we give up on him and eye Livramento instead.
Unless either of the two United right-backs leaves, it doesn’t make a lot of sense pursuing the Southampton starlet. Then there is Brandon Williams, who is out on loan at Norwich City, who can still reignite his career at Old Trafford.
At 19, Livramento still has a long way to develop and could potentially still have some of his best footballing years ahead of him. His potential acquisition could help future proof the wing-back department at Old Trafford and his experience in the Premier League could also be a big bonus for the club.
But this is one luxury we should look to pursue once other areas on the pitch are strengthened. A defensive midfielder and perhaps a young striker to take over the mantle from the ageing Cristiano Ronaldo and Edinson Cavani in the future would be smart targets to chase.
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United’s apparent interest is also nudging the Saints into the direction of renewing Livramento’s contract already. And hence, this looks like a deal that is not really worth pursuing as of now. While the player is surely one to keep an eye on, it is hard to see if United really need him right now.
