Christian Pulisic: Man United in the hunt as AC Milan lay down terms | OneFootball

Manchester United are keeping tabs on Christian Pulisic after AC Milan’s asking price has sparked interest in the red-hot winger, according to the latest report from Italy.

Left wing is a priority

United are prioritising a new left winger this summer, with INEOS intent on maintaining a 4-2-3-1 system in the wake of Ruben Amorim’s departure in January.

Michael Carrick has enjoyed a meteoric start in his second spell as interim coach, picking up four wins on the bounce while putting United’s bitter rivals – Manchester City, Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur – to the sword in the process.

The team, and the mood around Old Trafford, has been transformed over the past month, with the players looking reborn in a formation which maximises their strengths, rather than hindering them.

However, the squad lacks a natural winger on the left, despite Patrick Dorgu’s resurgent performances prior to his hamstring injury and Matheus Cunha being capable of playing in that position.

The Brazil international is best deployed more centrally, however, with a growing sense that United need a player capable of hugging the touchline – in a similar fashion to Amad on the right – as Luke Shaw does not offer the same overlapping threat he used to.

The pursuit of Antoine Semenyo, albeit unsuccessfully, over Christmas highlighted United’s focus on adding a left-sided attacker, while the identification of RB Leipzig speedster Yan Diomande and Everton’s wizard Iliman Ndiaye as alternatives to the Ghana international reinforce this point.

Calciomercato now adds a new name to the list of targets, with the Red Devils understood to be actively “monitoring” Pulisic ahead of a potential swoop on the San Siro.

“Captain America”

The 27-year-old winger will be well-known to United fans after a difficult spell with Chelsea, having arrived at Stamford Bridge from Borussia Dortmund for £57 million in January 2019.

The US international – who will be a pivotal part of Mauricio Pochettino’s side at the World Cup this summer – returned 47 goals and assists in 145 appearances for the Blues.

‘Captain America’ then joined Milan in the summer of 2023 for a fee in the region of £19m, with the Rossoneri fending off interest from Juventus and Galatasaray to strike a deal.

Pulisic has gone on to become one of Milan’s best players, producing 67 goal contributions in 120 games – almost twice as good as his rate in west London. ESPN considers this campaign as the “best season” in his career.

Calciomercato reveals this outstanding form has put Pulisic in the crosshairs of Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur and United – with the Italian heavyweight reluctantly open to a sale if a £48m bid arrives as they plan to “restructure their squad” this summer.

The report concludes that the Premier League clubs are “ready to make AC Milan an offer” to bring the American back to England.

Final Thoughts

INEOS are increasingly prioritising players with Premier League pedigree after the success of Bryan Mbeumo and Cunha this season. For example, the plan to overhaul the midfield revolves around the capture of one of the division’s standout young options, be it Elliot Anderson, Carlos Baleba or Adam Wharton

Consequently, it makes sense to target Pulisic as he has already experienced the shock of English football, though it is important to note he only regained the form he showed at Dortmund once he left for Italy.

Furthermore, Milan’s magician turns 29 next year and his game largely relies upon his acceleration to leave opposition full-backs for dead.

INEOS have demonstrated an aversion towards signing older players approaching the tail end of their careers, given how often United have been burned by this approach in the past.

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