Manchester United have earmarked Schalke sensation Rabbi Matondo as an alternative target, should their pursuit of Dortmund star Jadon Sancho end in failure.
Manchester Evening News have reported that Manchester United are putting in contingency plans in place, in case their pursuit of Borussia Dortmund superstar Jadon Sancho does not bear any fruit this summer. As per the report, Schalke 04 teenager Rabbi Matondo has been identified as alternative target.
Manchester United seem heavily invested in their search to add a right winger to their squad, with Jadon Sancho on top of their priority list. But, the complicated world situation could see Manchester United either be unable to convince Dortmund or Sancho for the transfer or refuse to put up an extravagant amount themselves.
In such a case, MEN have said that Manchester United would shift their focus to Rabbi Matondo, who they view as a Daniel James-like signing. Matondo will cost in the same ballpark as James and isn’t as critically acclaimed as Sancho or other attackers around his age.
Matondo, who was previously at Manchester City, has become a mainstay in the first-team setup at Schalke. The 19-year-old is predominantly a right winger but has the ability to play all four forward positions, which is exactly the kind of flexibility Ole Gunnar Solskjaer seems to have installed in his attacking system at Manchester United.
Oh look, it’s Manchester United target Rabbi Matondo carrying the ball from his own penalty area to the oppositions in ten seconds. Whoooosh. pic.twitter.com/FVUBKCxQWd
— David Alexander Hughes (@DAHughes_) May 14, 2020
Matondo has scary pace and dribbling ability, which makes him a threat on counters. But, the 19-year-old has a lot to improve, when it comes to passing and aerial challenges. Another aspect of his game that desires improvement is his direct contribution, with the 19-year-old having just a solitary goal and no assists to show for his 21 senior games to date at Schalke.
Despite the shabby returns, though, there is no denying the fact that Matondo is a skilled teenager; one who has already been capped at the senior level for Wales. Matondo joined Schalke at around £11.3 million and should be available for a price not too dissimilar to the £15 million Manchester United paid for Daniel James last summer.
Keeping in mind that Schalke is under financial duress and could use the money, Manchester United have a viable target in Matondo, if their Sancho pursuit fails.
