Manchester Unted are no strangers to bringing in new players off the back of a major international tournament, with this summer’s Euro 2024 the latest opportunity to get a good look at potential signings and how they fare on the biggest stage.
Nearly 30 years ago, Czech Republic winger Karel Poborsky joined United after an outstanding Euro ’96, while Jordi Cruyff also arrived after impressing for the Netherlands. Two years later, Sir Alex Ferguson got his hands on long-term target Jaap Stam after the 1998 World Cup.
Fabien Barthez was actually signed shortly before Euro 2000 began, although his performances for France at the World Cup two years earlier had certainly helped raise his profile.
Even Rio Ferdinand seemed to underline United’s assessment of his potential after shining for England at the World Cup in 2002. A deal for Owen Hargreaves was then pursued in 2006 after he was named England’s best player at that year’s World Cup, even though it took almost another 12 months to come to an agreement with Bayern Munich over the transfer fee.
More recently, Daley Blind enjoyed a breakout tournament for the Netherlands as they finished third at the 2014 World Cup and he soon followed Louis van Gaal to Manchester. The same tournament had brought Argentina’s Marcos Rojo to the Old Trafford club’s attention.
Then, when United landed Sofyan Amrabat on loan last summer, it was after the midfielder had made a name for himself at the 2022 World Cup with Morocco a few months earlier.
This summer, United’s biggest recruitment priorities lies in the centre of defence, the centre of midfield and up front, although opportunities to strengthen other areas could arise too.
Country: Portugal
Club: Sporting CP
Position: Centre-back
Goncalo Inacio is only 22 but has already played almost 200 career games for club and country, with two league titles and two league cups during that time. There is talk of a £51m release clause in his contract, a figure that Sporting CP are seemingly not prepared to budge on.
Benfica’s Antonio Silva, himself only 20, is another Liga Portugal centre-back being monitored by some of Europe’s biggest clubs and seemingly destined for big things. Inacio and Silva almost certainly won’t start together, with Ruben Dias one of the first names on the Portugal teamsheet, so only one of them will likely play regularly during the tournament.
There hasn’t been much to split them in the eyes of…
Click Here to Read the Full Original Article at 90min EN…