Manchester United are reportedly chasing enterprising young left-back Nuno Mendes, who is currently a part of Portuguese club Sporting CP.
According to The Mirror, Manchester United are keen on adding to the left side of their defence and have been keeping tabs on Sporting CP full-back Nuno Mendes. The youngster is a target for the Red Devils and has famously been dubbed the best full-back in the Under-19 category, as per the report.
A key mention in the report is the fact that Manchester United have been interested in Mendes for a while now, with his name coming up during their negotiation with Sporting CP for the transfer of Bruno Fernandes. Interestingly, Miguel Pinho, who manages Bruno Fernandes, is also the 17-year-old’s agent.
The tag of the best left-back in the Under-19 category was bestowed upon him by none other than Sporting president Frederico Varandas, who has huge admiration for the 17-year-old.
Varandas told Canal 11, as quoted by The Mirror, “He’s the best u-19 left-back in Europe. There have already been approaches from major European clubs with concrete proposals.”
Nuno Mendes is yet to appear for the first-team at Sporting CP, but is a regular fixture for the Under-23 side. Mendes was a part of the pre-season first-team training camp for the 2019-20 season and also took part in their friendly against Liverpool while in the United States, which ended in a 2-2 draw.
Daily Star has gone one step forward with their report claiming that Manchester United have prepared a package worth around £10 million to sign Mendes from Sporting CP. The Red Devils have a rich history of recruitment from the Portuguese club and have good standing relations with them.
To add to it, Sporting CP are one of the many clubs reportedly struck hard by the suspension of football and could use the money to balance a fraction of the losses suffered. Perhaps, this is why Sporting CP president Varandas has hyped up Mendes as potentially the best Under-19 full-back in Europe.
Manchester United have witnessed the rise of Brandon Williams at left-back, with Luke Shaw finding it difficult to regain his first-choice status in the said role. Adding another explosive left-back with the work ethic and qualities that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer wants in his players, would be a step in the right direction for Manchester United.
