Ok, players like Ronaldo only come along once in a generation. If you are particularly lucky they end up playing for your club. But Manchester United will be looking to the next generation now to throw ups player of similar quality to the winger who lit up Old Trafford for 6 years.
If David Moyes is going to continue with a 4-4-2 formation then he is going to have to recruit some serious new talent for the wider areas. The current vintage of Young, Valencia and Nani just isn’t doing the damage on a regular basis.
On that point, Manchester United are said to be keen on another right winger from Sporting Lisbon. Carlos Mane is apparently attracting interest from several Premier League clubs including Manchester United, City, Chelsea and Tottenham. But perhaps Manchester United links to the club, through previous singings Nani and Ronaldo, will curry favour in any prospective deal. Sky Sports reports that Manchester United are tracking the youngster:
Reports in Portugal claim Manchester United were impressed by Mane after seeing him score the winner against Olhanense last weekend.
United have been keeping a close eye on Sporting in recent weeks, with William Carvalho known to be their main target, but Mane is understood to have caught their eye.
The 19 year old is, of course, only in his formative years. We have seen too many frighteningly good youngsters go by the wayside due to mismanagement or a lack of commitment. But this guy does look like a brilliant player in the making.
He’s got the vital element for a superstar – pace. His footwork is really good and he effortlessly glides across the turf with the ball at his feet. He also has a natural instinct for the goal with both feet and his head. So the similarities between Mane and Ronaldo don’t end with their playing position and former club.
Let’s take a look at the lads in action and you can make up your own minds. Has Mane got the potential to go right to the top?
Follow us on Twitter @soccersweep10
