Aheed Abrar
Celtic midfielder Matt O’Riley attracting interest from Manchester United, Arsenal and Crystal Palace
Manchester United are one of the Premier League clubs interested in the signature of Celtic midfielder Matt O’Riley, according to The Sun (h/t Manchester Evening News). Arsenal and Crystal Palace also have an eye on him.
The 21-year-old has been a prominent member of the Glasgow-based club’s team this season. And the Red Devils are still looking to bring in a midfielder after being rejected by Frenkie de Jong in the recent transfer window.
O’Riley came up through the youth ranks at Fulham. The Denmark U21 international never really broke into the team at the West London club and joined Milton Keynes Dons for the 2020/21 season.
The midfielder spent one-and-a-half years in League One with the Dons before making his way to the Scottish Premiership. And with the Bhoys, the London-born star has featured regularly since joining in January 2022.
In the current campaign, O’Riley has made 13 appearances for Celtic in the Scottish top flight and the Champions League. And the 21-year-old has provided five assists this season.
United have a number of options in the middle of the park that a majority of the fans think are not good enough for the Red Devils. The likes of Scott McTominay, Fred and Donny van de Beek have not been consistent enough over the course of their careers in Manchester.
McTominay has redeemed himself somewhat in the current campaign. The 25-year-old managed to keep out new signing Casemiro from the starting lineup in recent weeks.
O’Riley has usually played in the box-to-box position for Celtic. The 21-year-old has also featured in the number 10 role. However, Christian Eriksen and Bruno Fernandes have cemented their place in the starting lineup at United.
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Thus, it remains to be seen whether O’Riley would be keen on moving away from a club where he is being afforded regular minutes. Although, it will also be interesting to see if the Red Devils decide to pursue the Denmark U21 international’s signature.
