Manchester United have been linked with a summer move for Real Madrid starlet Alvaro Morata. The young Spaniard has found playing time hard to come by and has fallen behind fellow Castilla product Jese Rodriguez in the pecking order this season. He was rumored to be angling for a move away from the Bernabeu in January and even though a move did not materialize, he is thought to be leaving in the summer.
The youngster has had limited opportunities for Real Madrid this season and has managed to score only 3 goals in 21 appearances for the Merengues. The more worrying thing is that he has managed just 503 minutes of first team action for the Spanish giants. However Morata has been good for the Spanish U21 side and has netted 8 goals in 6 appearances in the UEFA U21 Euro qualifying rounds.
On other hands, Manchester United striker Robin van Persie is said to be unhappy at the club and there are rumors that he would not have moved to Manchester if he had known that Sir Alex Ferguson would retire at the end of last season. So, with all indications that the Dutchman’s time at Old Trafford is coming to an end, the young Spaniard is thought to be the one to take over the mantle.
So, the question is will this be a step in the right direction for the club? Looking at the attitude that United’s star striker has displayed in recent weeks, it seems as if it will be. Van Persie moved to Manchester United to have a chance of winning trophies and to play in the Champions League, neither of which now seems likely in a period of rebuilding the club under new manager David Moyes.
United are set to miss out on Champions League football next season and with a squad full of average players who are underperforming, their chances of winning silverware look remote. So, it might not be the worst idea to let RVP leave in the summer and build the side around a young striker who can lead United frontline for the next decade.
This is where Morata fits the bill perfectly. Till last summer he was regarded as one of the most talented and promising young forwards in European football, especially after his exploits in the U21 Euros in the summer. With Gonzalo Higuain leaving Madrid, this was expected to be his breakout year, but those hopes have been dashed by the stifled opportunities. And he needs a fresh start.
Morata is player who possesses the skills and the finishing to make it as a top drawer striker for any Premier League club and given his age and potential to improve, it would be wise for United to bet on him to be the face of Manchester United in a new era after Sir Alex Ferguson.
Stats taken from squawka. His £25m value has been noted from this Mirror’s report. However, his value according to the transfermarkt.co.uk is £10.5m.
Watch some of his skills and goals before you leave:
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