Man Utd coach CONFIRMS SHOCK transfer target

Tom Weber

• Updated: 27 Jun 2023 21:37 BST
• 3 min read

Benni McCarthy has seemingly confirmed Manchester United's interest in Utrecht star Taylor Booth.

The American midfielder has emerged as something of a shock Red Devils target, being apparently seen as a potential alternative to Mason Mount internally. The latter has been the subject of several bids from United, but Chelsea have thus far refused to accept any of the offers.

With boss Erik ten Hag keen to get his summer business done early, Manchester United are said to be moving on to different targets, with the Dutchman reportedly having a four-man shortlist of alternatives.

Besides Moises Caicedo, Ajax star Mohammed Kudus and the aforementioned Booth are part of this list, if ESPN is to be believed. Indeed, this appears to be the case, as revealed by first-team coach Benni McCarthy.

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What did McCarthy say?

Speaking to South African outlet 947 Joburg in early June, the former Blackburn Rovers forward offered insight into how he got his job at United last year and inadvertently revealed that Ten Hag is a long-time admirer of the Utrecht and one-time USMNT midfielder.

"Erik ten Hag came in and he spoke to my agent, Rob Moore, about one of the players that was playing in Holland," McCarthy said. "He asked Rob about an American player that Rob also managed."

"They were just speaking about that and once the conversation had ended, he said to him, 'By the way, how's Benni? How is Benni doing? Is he still working in South Africa?'"

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"Rob told him that I had left and was living back in Scotland. He then asked Rob to tell me to give him [Ten Hag] a call and if I could go and see him in Manchester. That is how it came about."

Utrecht sporting director Jordy Zuidam recently acknowledged that "there is a lot of interest in players like Booth." He continued: "We aim to [bring in] about €12 million. You try to keep these boys, but you have to be realistic."