The 2023–24 Premier League season is now over, meaning that Sir Jim Ratcliffe may finally open the transfer market for the first time as Manchester United’s owner.
After a disappointing season, it’s obvious that the club will undergo significant changes, with very few players safe from being put up for sale.
Though new players will reportedly be given preference over ready-made superstars, players must go and make room for others. In light of this, there is a possible summer addition who has the potential to be even more of a wonderkid than Kobbie Mainoo.
Man Utd eye up promising defender
Journalist Graeme Bailey has reported that Man United is considering a bid for highly-rated Jorrel Hato. The defender has grown to be a player the Red Devils like and may try to sign him this summer after scouting him for a while.
They won’t, however, be the only team trying to recruit Hato; Arsenal is also keen to sign him and is in first position to do so. According to a report from TEAMTalk in March, the club is seeking a whopping £86 million in order to sign the Ajax star.
This could prove to be a roadblock for both Premier League teams.
Why Hato could be a bigger talent than Mainoo
It has been enjoyable to observe Mainoo’s ascent to the position of regular first-team starter this season; it is possibly one of the nicest developments of the entire campaign.
With 24 Premier League starts under his belt, the 19-year-old midfielder has been outstanding, displaying the experience and mindset of a seasoned veteran. Only half a year ago, Mainoo was gradually making his mark on the globe.
However, following three outstanding Premier League goals, there is a real possibility that he may be travelling to Germany this summer with England.
Hato is also a player who’s followed an identical path to first-team glory as Mainoo, stepping up for a struggling side and performing at an extremely high level despite being just 18 years old – one year the United midfielder’s junior.
| Hato vs Varane & Maguire 23/24 League Stats | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Stats (per 90) | Hato | Varane | Maguire |
| Touches | 94.8 | 43.5 | 60.7 |
| Passes completed | 72.8 | 31.4 | 41.5 |
| Pass accuracy | 93% | 89% | 83% |
| Tackles | 2 | 0.8 | 1.1 |
| Interceptions | 1.4 | 0.7 | 1.1 |
| Duels won | 5.5 | 2 | 4.7 |
| Balls recovered | 5.7 | 3 | 3.5 |
| Via Sofascore | |||
Hato is already performing at such a high level, which is rather amazing given his age, as the table above illustrates.
Furthermore, not only has the number four developed into a consistent key player for Ajax, but he’s taken on the responsibility of the captain’s armband this season, which highlights how much he’s valued as a talent. Not even Mainoo can manage that.
To be performing at an even higher standard than two of United’s key centre-halves this season just proves how incredible he truly is, and he could just be an even bigger prospect than Mainoo.
But one thing is crystal clear: Man United must do all they can to sign Hato this summer.
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