Man Utd now eyeing "deep-lying playmaker" signing to replace Mainoo's role

As Kobbie Mainoo’s contract negotiations continue to stall, Manchester United have reportedly set their sights on signing a young midfielder who’s shown more creativity than their academy graduate.

Man Utd eyeing impressive midfielder

The Red Devils have it all to do this summer if they are to make significant improvement under Ruben Amorim. On course for a mid-table finish in the Premier League, whether INEOS have the funds available to rebuild their side is another question, but that hasn’t stopped the rumours from arriving.

The likes of Matheus Cunha and Chris Rigg have both been among the headlines this week, with Manchester United reportedly targeting moves to sign the impressive duo. Cunha would particularly offer Amorim a much-needed upgrade in attack, putting an end to the blunt nature of a frontline centred around Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee.

Meanwhile, Rigg represents one of the most talented young players that English football has to offer. The 17-year-old has become one to watch at Sunderland and could yet find himself on his way to Old Trafford at the same time that Mainoo’s future is thrown into doubt.

The Carrington graduate is yet to sign a new deal and previous reports suggested that he could seek a move abroad, potentially forcing the Red Devils to turn towards a Champions League-level replacement.

According to Calcio Mercato, Manchester United are now readying a move to sign Ardon Jashari, who Club Brugge value at around €35m (£29m) this summer. The Premier League giants aren’t alone in their interest, with Juventus, Atalanta, AC Milan and AS Roma all chasing the midfielder’s signature, but they are ready to ‘go on the attack’.

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Still just 22 years old, Jashari has impressed throughout the current campaign, performing well in the Champions League against the likes of Aston Villa and interested party Juventus. Now, as a hectic race begins to form, he may have a decision to make.

“Great” Jashari is more creative than Mainoo

Two players who would sit in a deeper role in Amorim’s system rather than the advanced roles, Jashari has proven to be more influential going forward than Mainoo this season and could yet offer Manchester United an instant upgrade.

Despite sitting deep, the 22-year-old has had a hand in as many as nine goals – scoring three and assisting a further six in all competitions. Mainoo, meanwhile, in a season full of injury frustrations, has managed just one goal and one assist.

As both Zirkzee and Hojlund struggle for consistency in front of goal too, any help from the midfield alongside Bruno Fernandes’ output certainly wouldn’t go amiss at Old Trafford.

Praised for his “great technical ability” by analyst Ben Mattinson before he even earned a move to Club Brugge, Jashari has only improved since those days and now looks destined for a big move.