Pranav Nair
Manchester United are eyeing Argentine sensation Franco Mastantuono
Manchester United have been linked with several young talents in the years gone by, but since the departure of Sir Alex Ferguson, our record in signing them have been sketchy.
The South American market is one that is being exploited by several clubs in recent years to great effect. While the likes of Barcelona and Real Madrid have often cherry picked the top talents from the continent, clubs such as Brighton & Hove Albion and Chelsea have also gotten in on the act.
Players such as Julian Alvarez, Luis Diaz, and Moises Caicedo among others were linked with the Red Devils but now ply their trades elsewhere. Had we perhaps acted quicker, it is possible that at least one of them might have now been at Old Trafford.
Thankfully lessons are now being learned and according to TyC Sports, Man United are keeping close tabs on the Argentine market. There is an influx of talent in the market at this moment and Franco Mastantuono is making waves.
Of these, there is one standout player. Mastantuono at just 16 has become the joint-second youngest goalscorer in Argentine football history in River Plate’s 3-0 win over Excursionistas earlier this week. He did not just break the River record held by Javier Saviola but matched the overall record of Sergio Aguero, with only Diego Maradona ahead of the pair. Elite company indeed.
The likes of Barcelona, Real Madrid, and Manchester City are also in the fray, making life difficult for us. As long as Mastantuono keeps up his numbers, that job will only get harder. Red Devils’ scouts are keeping tabs on him and it remains to be seen whether we will make a move for him anytime soon.
Alejandro Garnacho’s success has reaffirmed United’s ability to develop talent. The Argentine is enjoying a breakout season and alongside Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Hojlund, can lay the foundations for the years to come.
Whether Mastantuono will join that list remains to be seen. Hopefully Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Co will heed their ghosts of Christmas past and ensure we are once again a prime destination for the world’s best young talents.
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Mastantuono isn’t the only Argentine talent Man United are keeping tabs on. Another River Plate player, Ian Subiabre, is a 17-year-old winger, who made his senior debut for River Plate last week is on our radar. He scored three goals in 20 appearances for Argentina’s U17s and is considered one of the best young talents in the nation.
Tomas Parmo is a 16-year-old midfielder at Independiente and Aaron Anselmino, an 18-year-old defensive midfielder at Boca Juniors are also being scouted by the Red Devils.
