Man Utd aiming to hijack move to sign Real Madrid’s top target in £42m deal

In what would be quite the move, Manchester United are now reportedly aiming to hijack Real Madrid’s attempts to sign their top target this summer in a deal worth around £42m.

Amorim expresses Man Utd frustration

Even Ruben Amorim wouldn’t have been aware of just how difficult a job he had on his hands when he arrived a number of months ago, but the reality has since hit him in the most ruthless fashion. The former Sporting boss arrived with all the hope in the world that a young, ambitious manager would finally have what it takes to turn things around at Old Trafford.

Now in April, however, the squad that Erik ten Hag left behind has failed to adapt to his 3-4-2-1 system and it’s clearer than ever that Manchester United simply cannot afford to get things wrong this summer. Without back-to-back Premier League wins all season, the Red Devils had their latest moment to forget against Nottingham Forest – losing 1-0 courtesy of Anthony Elanga.

Amorim expressed his frustration over the result as his side took one step forward and two steps back once again. He told reporters: “It’s more [of] the same since this season began. So I think if you look at the game we are improving the way we play football.

“We are creating more chances, we are dominating more games. But in the end, when you don’t win, you feel that and that is a good thing. So we know that this season is going to be like that, the momentum. So we continue to go to the next [game].”

Go again is exactly what United must do too, with the Manchester derby awaiting in a run of crucial games towards the end of the campaign.

With key clashes in the Europa League – arguably United’s last chance to qualify for European football – Amorim will be desperate to avoid a repeat of the Forest result and kick on once more at Old Trafford.

Man Utd target Hincapie hijack

One way to ensure that results such as the one against Nottingham Forest becomes less of a habit is to welcome some much-needed defensive reinforcements. And if reports are anything to go by, INEOS are well aware of that.

According to TeamTalk, Manchester United are now aiming to hijack Real Madrid’s move to sign Piero Hincapie

from Bayer Leverkusen, who value their central defender at €50m (£42m) this summer.

Described as “athletic”, “physical” and “quick” by analyst Ben Mattinson, 23-year-old Hincapie could go from a Leverkusen invincible to Manchester United saviour this summer. Having already reportedly made contact over a move, the Red Devils’ plot to seal an ambitious hijack on Madrid seems on.