Manchester United quickly improved under manager Michael Carrick.
It took Ruben Amorim just two games to win back-to-back Premier League games after almost 12 months. There are certainly feel-good factors at Old Trafford and some players stand out in particular.
Patrick Dorg and Brian Mbeumo both shone under the former United midfielder. Each player will score two goals in the same number of games, with Dorgu operating as a left winger. Mbeumo, on the other hand, is preferred over Benjamin Sesko up front and has had great success there.
The Slovenian has fallen out of favor recently, so it may come as no surprise to learn that United are eyeing a new number nine.
Manchester United eyeing new centre-forward
Despite scoring three goals in two games under Darren Fletcher, Sesco’s form since moving to Old Trafford in the summer has been patchy. However, if recent reports are to be believed, it appears the Red Devils are looking to add depth up front.
According to France’s Foot Mercato, the 13-time Premier League champion is “interested” in signing Stade Rene and France Under-21 international Cader Meite. United could make a move for the 18-year-old if one of their existing options up front leaves the club.
However, this will not be easy. The Red Devils will face stiff competition from Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal, who are said to be “pressing hard to sign him” and are “ready to pay the fee” the Ligue 1 side want.
According to the newspaper, Rennes are seeking a fee in the region of €60m (about £52m), which they received when they sold Jeremy Doku to Manchester City.
Comparison of Meite and Anthony Martial
If United were to bring Meite to Old Trafford, they would be acquiring a player for the present and the future. Although he is only 18 years old and doesn’t have a lot of experience, he has already proven why he is so highly rated.
According to soccer talent scout Jacek Kulig, the teenager is an “elite talent” who will shine at Rennes, where his minutes have been limited this term. He has made 17 appearances in Ligue 1, but has only played 503 minutes, or the equivalent of 5.5 full 90-minute matches. During that time, Meite has three goals and two assists.
Meite’s game-to-goal involvement rate this season is certainly impressive. He has scored and assisted twice in the same match, including this goal against RC Strasbourg in early November, showing how dominant he is in the penalty area.
The striker, who hails from Creteil on the outskirts of Paris, has produced some excellent basic statistics this term. For example, he wins an average of 3.4 aerial duels per 90 minutes and averages 0.6xG expected goals per match. They ranked him in the top 12% and 8% of Ligue 1 strikers.
25/26 Meite key statistics in Ligue 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
State (per 90) | number | rank |
the goal | 0.51 | Top 24% |
expected number of goals | 0.6×G | Top 8% |
Dribbling completed | 1.02 | Top 16% |
Touch the offensive box | 6.62 | Top 14% |
won an aerial battle | 3.4 | Top 8% |
Fotmob statistics | ||
If the Red Devils get the deal over the line, Meite could very well be seen as the new Anthony Martial at Old Trafford. There are certainly similarities between the two. Martial was 19 when he joined United, making him a year older than the current Rennes star. Of course, both are talented French strikers.
Despite struggling with injuries, Martial put in some great performances in a United shirt. A smooth dribbler and long one of the Premier League’s coolest finishers, he scored 90 goals and provided 54 assists in 317 appearances for the Red Devils.
He also scored some big goals. That includes goals on his debut against Liverpool and in the 2015-15 FA Cup semi-final against Everton, which United won. Meite will surely want to have that kind of impact on the club.
United are still looking for a number nine who could be their first choice, and Meite could be that player. He’s off to a good start in his pro football career and has the numbers to back it up.
I hope his career doesn’t rewind like Martial did in Manchester. Like the former Monaco forward, he has incredibly exciting attributes.
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