Ratcliffe can make early Man Utd splash by robbing Man City of Haaland replacement
Robin Bairner
- Updated: 20 Oct 2023 19:05 BST
- 11 min read
Manchester United have seen the door open for them to sign Youssoufa Moukoko, the Borussia Dortmund striker that Manchester City have targeted as a potential long-term replacement for Erling Haaland.
Although United added Rasmus Hojlund to their ranks this summer, Erik ten Hag’s depth in attack remains flimsy at best, with the form of Marcus Rashford disappointing, Antony dogged by off-field problems and Anthony Martial battling constant injury issues. And then, of course, there remains Jadon Sancho, who continues to be exiled.
Given the problems at Old Trafford, it may seem strange to suggest United chase another player in the form of Moukoko who is going through a difficult spell.
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His arrival, though, could prove an inspired move by incoming minority shareholder Jim Ratcliffe, who is set to buy 25% of the club from the Glazer brothers.
Troubled by accusations that he is not really as young as 18, the striker has failed to start a single game for Dortmund this season, playing just 66 minutes of competitive football over the course of six substitute appearances. He has neither a goal nor an assist to his credit.
Moukoko did, though, come to life for Germany U21s. He bagged a double in September against Kosovo before netting a hat-trick against Bulgaria on 13 October only to suffer a hamstring problem.
Bild reports that the player wants out, although this has been denied by sporting director Sebastian Kehl.
Neither the club nor Youssoufa are thinking about the January transfer window now
- Sebastian Kehl - Borussia Dortmund sporting director“Neither the club nor Youssoufa are thinking about the January transfer window now,” he claimed.
“Of course he hopes for more playing time, but the squad is very big, there are many other players who would also like more playing time.
“As for Youssoufa, I can say that he accepts it 100 percent, that he puts in the effort in training and that he works hard on himself. We will still need him. We believe in him too.”
Moukoko is an elite striker in the making
Moukoko would be within his rights to believe he deserves more, though.
Last season, data analytics experts SciSports rated him as the sixth best striker in the Bundesliga based on hundreds of in-game data points.
Moukoko rated above the likes of Christopher Nkunku, Marcus Thuram and Randal Kolo Muani, who all made high-profile summer moves, as well as Bayern Munich’s Thomas Muller and Serge Gnabry.
He performed especially well in terms of his finishing and pressing – two qualities that Ten Hag would love at Man Utd.
Moukoko vs Bundesliga centre forwards (2022/23)
Despite what Dortmund may claim, the door for Moukoko to leave is very much ajar, and it is a possibility that United should consider.
After all, their previous dallying saw them miss out on Erling Haaland, who is now scoring prolifically across the city, and with long-term doubts still circling over the Norway international’s future, Moukoko is a player being eyed as his replacement.
January could, therefore, by the time to move.
Moukoko might not be the marquee signing that fans are hoping for, yet at just 18 years old, SciSports believe he has the potential to become the best player in Ten Hag’s squad given the correct nurturing. He is rated even higher than Hojlund.
The Dortmund star’s value is at a low point presently, but wait around too long and that situation could change.
Man Utd have been guilty too often of dallying in the transfer market, but Ratcliffe can set an early marker for his new era by acting swiftly and decisively to sign one of the game’s brightest talents.
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Read more about: Bundesliga, Premier League, Dortmund, Man City, Man Utd, Erling Haaland, Youssoufa Moukoko
