Prime Man Utd target names ‘favourite club’ as Ten Hag eyes transformative signing after Roy Keane endorsement
A player who has been heavily linked with Manchester United has revealed which team is his ‘favourite’ in what could be a transfer message, with Erik ten Hag aiming to sign him to make the Red Devils Premier League title challengers.
Man Utd have ended the season with one trophy following their FA Cup final defeat to rivals Manchester City. Pep Guardiola’s side stunned Man Utd early on at Wembley by taking the lead thanks to an Ilkay Gundogan wonderstrike.
Man Utd were given a brilliant opportunity to drag themselves level when Paul Tierney pointed to the penalty spot following a VAR review of Jack Grealish’s handball. Bruno Fernandes stepped up and made no mistake with his spot-kick.
However, Gundogan restored City’s lead in the second half by volleying into the bottom corner on his left foot from a Kevin de Bruyne free-kick. Man Utd were unable to get back into the match and this saw City add the FA Cup to their Prem triumph as they hunt the treble, while Man Utd have only lifted the Carabao Cup this term.
Man Utd icon Roy Keane criticised David de Gea for failing to save Gundogan’s second goal, a strike which other goalkeepers may have got more contact on. Keane said: “They need a new goalkeeper and world-class striker, I’m sick of saying it!
“De Gea’s not good enough, he is not going to be the one to take United back to winning trophies.”
The former midfielder has once again given Man Utd his endorsement to drop De Gea to backup keeper and bring in a more dominant shot-stopper. Such a signing may well take Man Utd to the next level and see them compete with the likes of City and Arsenal for the biggest trophies in England going forward.
Ten Hag is well aware of De Gea’s limitations and is resultantly eyeing up Porto star Diogo Costa to replace the Spaniard. Costa is relatively young for a keeper at 23 years of age but is already first choice for both Porto and the Portugal national team.
Diogo Costa speaks out amid Man Utd rumours
Over the weekend, Portuguese newspaper A Bola revealed Costa will almost certainly be leaving his current club when the next transfer window begins. They added that talks between Man Utd and Porto over his transfer are ‘well underway’.
The shot-stopper has also picked up interest from Chelsea, but it seems Man Utd are the best-placed club to sign him as things stand.
During a recent interview, Costa was asked about potentially moving to Old Trafford. He replied (via Metro): “That’s the internet.”
He added: “It is a happiness and an honour to play for my favourite club [Porto].
“What they say is what they say, there is nothing concrete, I have a contract until 2027 and I hope to continue, let’s see.”
It is interesting that Costa has called Porto his ‘favourite club’. This means Man Utd will likely have to offer him a lucrative contract to get him to leave the side he has played for since academy level.
However, if the 11-cap international wants to reach his potential and become one of the best keepers in the world, then he must leave his home country and challenge himself in one of Europe’s top leagues. Man Utd can offer him such an opportunity.
Given his love for Porto, it would not be a surprise if Costa returned to his boyhood club in the latter stage of his career before hanging up his gloves. But he could spend a large portion of his career with Man Utd before that time comes.
Meanwhile, one Man Utd star is reportedly ‘delighted’ as a second source has confirmed his new contract is in the works.
