Man Utd plotting move for out-of-favour Real Madrid man as Erik ten Hag eyes attacking recruits
Manchester United are considering a shock January move for Real Madrid star Marco Asensio, according to reports.
The Spaniard’s contract at the Bernabeu is due to expire at the end of the season, meaning Los Blancos may opt to sell him in the upcoming window to avoid him leaving on a free transfer.
Indeed, if the 26-year-old doesn’t sign a new contract in the next few weeks, it looks increasingly likely that Asensio will be leaving Madrid.
This is according to Defensa Central, who claim United are plotting a move to sign the attacker in January.
Asensio seems to have fallen out of favour with Carlo Ancelotti, after playing just 426 minutes for Los Blancos during the current campaign.
With this in mind, he looks to be eyeing a move elsewhere in favour of more regular playing time and he could go straight into Erik ten Hag’s starting XI.
In an impressive, six-year stint playing in the Spanish capital, Asensio has featured 250 times, scoring 52 goals and making 27 assists in the process.
In his glittering career, the Spaniard has won three LaLiga titles, three Champions Leagues, three Club World Cups, three UEFA Super Cups and three Spanish Super Cups.
So, if United can get a deal over the line for the attacker this winter, he will come with an outstanding reputation.
Asensio could be the new attacker United fans want
A versatile player, Asensio can play on either wing, as an attacking midfielder or even as a centre-forward, so he could cover a number of positions for the Red Devils.
There is no denying that United need more goal scorers at the moment, too.
Marcus Rashford has been their most reliable attacking option this season, contributing five goals and three assists from 15 league appearances.
On the other hand, the likes of Antony, Jadon Sancho and Anthony Elanga have struggled to find consistent form thus far, with the latter being linked with a potential move to Everton.
Of course, the fact that Cristiano Ronaldo left Old Trafford by mutual consent back in November has also left an attacking void in Ten Hag’s squad.
With an average of 0.32 goal contributions per game, Asensio could prove to be an effective signing for United. And interestingly, he may not be the only Real Madrid star heading for Manchester.
Rashford is pretty much a guaranteed starter at this point, while Bruno Fernandes has been a stalwart in the attacking midfield role under Ten Hag, so the question is, where would Asensio fit into United’s team?
It seems it would be a toss-up between dropping Antony, with Asensio coming in to play on the right wing, or Anthony Martial, if the Dutch manager thinks the Real Madrid man is good enough to lead the line for the Red Devils.
With United currently sitting in fifth place in the league table, they most likely need to bring in a few quality players to maintain their charge for Champions League qualification.
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