The Choupo-Moting quote that shows he’d be an EXCELLENT Man Utd signing

Robin Bairner

• 6 Jan 2024 09:20 GMT
• 4 min read

Eric-Maxime Choupo-Moting is one of a string of surprising names linked with a move to Manchester United during the January transfer window.

According to Bild, Choup-Moting has even agreed to join the Old Trafford club on loan from Bayern Munich.

It is a move that is unlikely to excite too many Man Utd fans. After all, after the failure of Wout Weghorst to fire on a similar type of move 12 months ago, who can blame them?

Choupo-Moting is remembered in England for a failed single season at Stoke before going viral during his time at PSG because of one of the worst misses of all time.

At 34, though, the Cameroon international demands respect for the manner in which he has absolutely maximised his potential.

This is due to the mentality he has displayed in the latter part of his career, the last five years of which have been spent at PSG and Bayern – two undoubted giants of the game.

It is a strong mindset that has allowed him to play for such clubs alongside forwards like Kylian Mbappe, Neymar and Harry Kane.

This is best illustrated by the way in which he embraced his status as a supplementary player at PSG.

“That’s the role I have here,” he told France Football in an illuminating 2020 interview. “It’s not a problem at all. Most games, I’m a substitute, but I don’t just see myself as a substitute. I’m part of the team.

“If I only play twenty minutes, I'm happy because I'm contributing, I'm helping the team to get three points.

“The coach can put start four players in attack, or three, depending on the system. And if he chooses Neymar, Mbappe, Angel Di Maria, should the others be angry? No. It’s important to accept that and not have any qualms.”

Choupo-Moting's positive influence

Such an attitude allows him to quickly blend into any locker room, as was the case at PSG.

“At the beginning, when I didn't know them well, they were stars. After two weeks here, they were teammates and even friends because we got along very well, we laughed together,” he said at that time.

“It was easy for me. In my head, the word ‘star’ was no longer there. We were all the same.

“I can talk to a lot of people because I love cultures.

“I love talking about Brazil with Thiago Silva. With Edinson Cavani, Angel Di Maria, we make jokes, we talk to each other.

“For example, Leo Paredes and Icardi have lion tattoos. So I tell them: ‘Hey, but in Argentina, there aren't even lions. Are there any? No! So why did you get a lion tattoo? We are the Indomitable Lions in Cameroon! And I don't even have a lion tattoo!" There are always things to share.”

Choupo-Moting might not be the big name that Man Utd fans are craving, but he undoubtedly adds to the locker room of such a big club thanks to his mentality and humility.