Gyokeres, Malen and Guirassy all star - How Man Utd’s summer transfer targets performed this weekend

Robin Bairner

19 Mar 2024 13:22 GMT
6 min read

Serhou Guirassy, Viktor Gyokeres, Donyell Malen — © IMAGO

Manchester United will enter a new era this summer with Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s INEOS group taking charge of transfers and, hopefully, ushering a new generation of success at Old Trafford.

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The Red Devils can expect to experience sweeping changes in their team over the course of the next two or three years, with the first influx of new stars set to come in this summer.

Scouts are all over Europe, following the progress of their leading targets, but how did they play this weekend and how have their performances affected the plans of Man Utd?

READ MORE: Latest Man Utd transfer rumours

Donyell Malen - Dortmund

Malen has been on fire for BVB lately, and though he failed to score against Frankfurt, he was able to fashion an assist. Set up Karim Adeyemi for the equalising goal as it seemed Edin Terzic’s side were in for another difficult afternoon.

His eight touches in the Frankfurt box highlights his regular use as an attacking outlet for his side.

Victor Osimhen and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia - Napoli

Osimhen did not play a minute of Napoli’s 1-1 draw with Inter, sitting out the entire game as a substitute.

The Nigeria international is reportedly suffering from fatigue caused by a previous injury and is poised for an extended break before the Serie A champions meet Napoli.

Kvaratskhelia did play against Inter but was not at his best on the left of Napoli’s attack, turning in a moderate performance.

Completed a couple of dribbles and managed a shot on target, but just a single touch in the Inter box shows that the dangerous Georgia international winger was well contained. His task was made all the more difficult by Osimhen’s absence.

Ivan Toney – Brentford

After making an explosive start after his prolonged suspension, Toney has hit a barren spell.

The England striker has gone five games without a goal, with that run continuing on Saturday as the Bees came up short against Burnley.

It was a tough afternoon for Thomas Frank’s men, who saw Sergio Reguilon sent off in the first 10 minutes and could not recover.

Serhou Guirassy – Stuttgart

Another week and another goal for Serhou Guirassy, who is proving his doubters wrong by putting together a prolific campaign with Stuttgart.

His goal was well taken. Breaking beyond the backline, he had the strength to hold off a defender before firing into the top corner. He had earlier hit the post.

Only Harry Kane, himself linked with Man Utd lately, has more goals in the Bundesliga so far this season.

Brahim Diaz – Real Madrid

Expected to be edged out of Real Madrid when Kylian Mbappe arrives in the summer, the winger is doing his level best to make himself a place at the club. Scored Madrid’s third in a 4-1 win over Osasuna on Saturday before being replaced with 18 minutes remaining.

His performance was overshadowed by that of Vini Jr, but this was an excellent display from the forward.

Joao Neves – Benfica

Man Utd are after a midfielder in the mould of Paul Scholes this summer, and Neves is doing his best to develop into that type of player. The 19-year-old was all-action defensively in a 1-0 win over Casa Pia on Sunday, posting a pass completion percentage of above 90 for the fifth successive league match. He delivered two key passes in the process.

Bruno Guimaraes – Newcastle

Newcastle were comprehensively outgunned by Manchester City in the FA Cup at the weekend, with Bruno left, like his teammates, chasing shadows against the treble winners. Was given the full 90 minutes as Eddie Howe’s men were well beaten.

Weston McKennie – Juventus

Could USMNT star McKennie make a return to the Premier League after a flop spell at Leeds previously? Recent form suggests that it’s possible, with the midfielder post two-assist games against Frosinone and Atalanta back-to-back.

McKennie, though, was unable to inspire Juve this time around. The Man Utd target was ineffective as the Turin giants were held to a boring scoreless draw.

Mikel Merino – Real Sociedad

Another central midfield option for Man Utd, Merino was Real Sociedad’s outstanding player as they overcame Cadiz 2-0 at the weekend. Man of the match, he won an incredible 19 of 25 duels as well as 15 of 19 aerials. Although he was active defensively, it was his strike that was his most eye-catching moment.

He now has four goals in his last six outings for La Real, including a Champions League goal against PSG.

Rayan Ait Nouri – Wolves

A thoroughly mixed afternoon for Rayan Ait Nouri for Wolves on Saturday as the left wing-back scored in the FA Cup quarter-final against Coventry. As well as scoring, he created the second, hit the post and was Wolves’ most creative player.

Although he was on target, Wolves were beaten 3-2 by the Championship outfit in one of the most incredible cup matches of recent seasons.

It was a dark day for the Premier League side, but Man Utd will have watched Air Nouri with interest.