MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 28: Victor Lindelof of Manchester United in action with Richarlison of Everton during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Everton FC at Old Trafford on October 28, 2018 in Manchester, United Kingdom. (Photo by John Peters/Manchester United via Getty Images)
Surprise Everton star emerges as Manchester United target
The Evening Standard published a report outlining the new strategy employed by Manchester United in player recruiting, in which Everton star Richarlison is mentioned as a possible target.
The Red Devils have been shambolic in signing players over the last few years, with no coherent plan in place. Things have changed under Ole Gunnar Solskjær though.
Former policy seemed to be focused on bringing in big money players who could increase the club’s commercial revenue – names like Radamel Falcao, Angel Di Maria and Paul Pogba.
The scouting team is now performing a much more thorough analysis while evaluating potential targets, looking for players who will be a fit for the club and its philosophies.
The signings of Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Harry Maguire and Daniel James certainly suggest that. All 3 of them have settled in well at Old Trafford, and have arguably been some of the most consistent performers so far this season.
Solskjær is also reportedly holding monthly meetings with scouts to finalize targets for the upcoming transfer windows. The Norwegian would ideally like to bring in up to 3 players in January, but would rather wait until the summer than compromise.
When the scouting team is done with its analysis, the list of targets for a position is whittled down to 5 names by the time it reaches Solskjær. Up top, Erling Haaland remains the 46-year-old’s number one choice, but it appears that Richarlison is not far behind.
Primarily a winger, the Brazilian has impressed in recent games for Everton playing up front. His physicality enables him to hold play up, while his speed and dribbling also allows him to run at defenders.
Playing for an under-par Everton, the 22-year-old already has 6 goals this season. He also has 19 caps for Brazil, which is no mean feat considering the selection of attackers available to them.
It does seem unlikely that United will move for him though. If what the Evening Standard claims is correct, Solskjær is unflinching in his desire to sign only his top choices for every position.
So if Haaland is unavailable in January, it seems more likely that the Red Devils will opt to wait until the summer to try to sign the 19-year-old rather than move for Richarlison next month.
Manchester United’s inconsistent form continued on Boxing Day, as they recovered from a shock 2-0 defeat to Watford to thump Newcastle 4-1. Up next on Saturday is a trip to Turf Moor to take on Burnley.
