Manchester United’s interest in French striker Antoine Griezmann has been widely documented this year, but reports emerging from Spanish outlet Don Balon suggest the Red Devils may also be interested in Griezmann’s Atletico team mate Yannick Carrasco.
The 23-year-old has impressed in Spain since making the move from Monaco in 2015, scoring the equaliser in the 2016 Champions League Final in which Atletico were narrowly defeated by city rivals Real Madrid.
Monaco have garnered a reputation for bringing top talent through the ranks, and Carrasco is no exception. Since making the move to Spain the young Belgian has flourished, and is now one of the most exciting prospects in world football.
Young and keen to impress, Carrasco has evolved from a raw talent into an established star, with his best years still ahead of him. Tottenham were extremely interested in the player during his time with Monaco, and Mauricio Pochettino will be ruing the fact that compatriot Diego Simeone pipped him to the acquisition of the Belgian’s signature two years ago.
Here are four reasons why United should pursue the talented Belgian this summer…
The stats
Carrasco is best utilised from out wide, although he has been used down the middle at times this season.
14 goals and four assists across three competitions represents a fantastic return, and do not be surprised to see Carrasco surpass 20 goals in his remaining La Liga and Champions League outings.
Better than the rest?
It is this form that has flirted with the attentions of Jose Mourinho. United’s current options out wide, including Anthony Martial and Jesse Lingard, have stuttered in their scoring this year, with the pair mustering a measly four Premier League goals between them thus far.
This poor return has seen United struggle for goals, and a host of missed chances has seen the Manchester side to a series of disappointing draws across the course of the campaign.
Upgrade
In Carrasco, United would have a serious upgrade. Full of drive and extremely talented, young Carrasco’s career has only just begun. The Belgian offers a presence on the field that Martial and Lingard have lacked this season, and his prowess in front of goal is exactly what United need.
48 goals in 31 games is not the United way, and Jose Mourinho will look to address this during the summer transfer market.
Jose/Madrid Link
Jose has history with Atletico Madrid in the transfer market, and the diminutive Portuguese has plundered the Vincente Calderon stadium in the past for the likes of Diego Costa and Felipe Luis. Bosses in the Spanish capital will fear another raid is imminent.
With Diego Simeone’s future in question players may feel this to be the right time to move to pastures anew, and if Antoine Griezmann makes the move to Old Trafford, the temptation for Yannick Carrasco to follow would grow.
The pair have established a formidable partnership feared across the continent, and fans at Old Trafford would be in for a spectacle if the two line up at Old Trafford at the end of the summer.
