Manchester United

Manchester United

Premier League • England

Man Utd told why Kylian Mbappe signing is a no-brainer as John Murtough urged to throw everything at Ronaldo successor

Kylian Mbappe of PSG

Kylian Mbappe celebrates scoring PSG goal against Juventus

Paul Merson has explained exactly why Manchester United should spend big to sign Kylian Mbappe from Paris Saint-Germain at the end of the campaign.

Man Utd have been searching for Cristiano Ronaldo’s replacement in attack over the past few months. And this hunt has been taken to the next level by Ronaldo’s sensational interview with Piers Morgan, in which he has criticised almost everyone at the club.

The Red Devils are hoping to offload Ronaldo as soon as the January window opens. And they would love for a world-class goalscorer to replace him, although such a move probably wouldn’t take place until summer 2023.

On Tuesday, the Daily Mirror brought up the possibility of Man Utd doing the unthinkable and prizing Mbappe away from PSG.

Real Madrid worked tirelessly to sign the French forward in the summer, only for him to pen a new contract at the Parc des Princes. It lasts until June 2025.

But Man Utd want to succeed where Real failed and bring Mbappe to the Premier League. It would be a monumental transfer that would rival Erling Haaland’s switch to Manchester City.

Clearly, there are some big obstacles for Erik ten Hag’s side to overcome before landing Mbappe. They include his potential £150million transfer fee and huge wages. With these factors in mind, Man Utd could end up pursuing Victor Osimhen instead.

Former Arsenal star Merson, though, has told Man Utd director of football John Murtough why Mbappe should be the priority.

Pundit gives Man Utd top reason to land Kylian Mbappe

He reckons the massive shirt sales Man Utd could generate from signing the 23-year-old would give them back a large proportion of the £150m outlay.

During an interview with the Daily Express, Merson said: “If Manchester United threw the chequebook at him, you’d have your money back within 10 minutes.

“I’m not being horrible but he plays for Paris Saint-Germain yet every kid has a PSG shirt with Mbappe on the back. They do.

“Imagine if it’s Man United, they have to be 50 times bigger than PSG – if not 100 times.

“I would throw the chequebook at him. I think United have a chance to get into the Champions League but I think they have to go for someone like him. They need a superstar.”

When asked about why Mbappe would choose to go to Man Utd rather than Liverpool or Real, Merson pointed out the club’s project under Ten Hag as a possible attraction.

“It depends if he knows his football and if he knows the history,” the Sky Sports pundit said. “There’s no better place to be in [than] Man United’s turn around. “If he goes, they have a chance to turn it around.

PSG star ‘an unbelievable player’ – Merson

“If you get him, he really does make things happen. He’s not only a superstar commercially but he’s an unbelievable football player as well.

“He’s the only chance France have got of winning the World Cup and they are a footballing nation. That tells you how good Mbappe is.”

Mbappe would be the perfect replacement for Ronaldo at Old Trafford. He is already a world-class attacker, despite his tender age.

This means he would be available to score potentially hundreds of goals for Man Utd over a long period.

Unfortunately for Man Utd fans, it is rather unlikely that such a move will actually go ahead. Mbappe has signalled his desire to lead PSG to their first Champions League crown. And until this happens, he probably won’t be leaving the Ligue 1 club.

Then, when Mbappe does decide to secure a transfer, it will likely be to Real. He is a huge fan of the Spanish outfit, largely down to his admiration for Ronaldo. Man Utd are quite low down on Mbappe’s priorities right now.

Meanwhile, two clubs have already rejected the chance to sign Ronaldo this winter.