Mizgan Masani
Manchester United target Goncalo Inacio sees a move to Old Trafford as ‘appealing’
According to O Jogo (h/t Manchester Evening News), Sporting Lisbon defender and Manchester United target Goncalo Inacio is attracted by the prospect of moving to Old Trafford.
The report also reveals that United have already made contact with the 21-year-old over a potential move in the coming summer window. He sees a transfer to Manchester United as ‘appealing’.
After his exceptional performance against Arsenal in the Europa League, Inacio attracted the interest of the Red Devils. Sky Sports reports that Liverpool are also in the race for the defender.
The 21-year-old was a youth player at Sporting since 2014 before making his senior debut during the 2020/21 season. He is a left-footed centre-back who can operate as a left-back too.
If we talk about the current season, the Portugal international has made 48 appearances in all competitions, 43 of them as a centre-back. He scored three and assisted three in those appearances as well (Transfermarkt).
Inacio is a highly-talented defender who is physically strong in tackles and duels, has the recovery pace to match the runs of opposition forwards in transition, can pass the ball well from the back and reads the game well enough to make key defensive interceptions.
United have Luke Shaw as someone who can play both as a centre-back and left-back. Lisandro Martinez is an exceptional left-footed defender, though currently injured. Tyrell Malacia is an out-and-out left-back.
Keeping the options in mind, does Erik ten Hag needs another left-footed defender? With Harry Maguire expected to leave in the summer and Raphael Varane having injury issues, the Dutchman could do with someone who can play on the right-hand side. Victor Lindelof is an option, but is he a long-term solution? We would doubt so.
More Manchester United News:
- Barcelona joined by Real Madrid in the pursuit of Manchester United right-back Diogo Dalot
- Jeremie Frimpong in advanced talks with Manchester United amidst Real Madrid interest
- Liverpool ‘frontrunners’ to sign Manchester United target Alexis Mac Allister
So, as much as Inacio is a bright young player with an elite future, United could do by skipping his signature this summer. It would be even better pipping Liverpool in the race for him, because we will also be preventing the Reds from adding a potentially world-class defender to their ranks.
