Neil El Aynaoui: World Cup unsung hero emerges as ideal midfield addition for Man United | OneFootball

Which midfielders Manchester United will sign to give Michael Carrick a strong engine room he can rely on next season remains a mystery.

With Casemiro’s departure and Manuel Ugarte‘s long-term injury, the Red Devils need at least two, if not three, quality midfield signings.

Ederson has already signed, with all eyes now on who will join the Brazilian international through the door.

In an ideal scenario, it should have been Elliot Anderson and Mateus Fernandes. However, both players have sealed moves to rival clubs. United must now pivot and identify fresh targets.

One name gaining serious traction is AS Roma box-to-box midfielder Neil El Aynaoui. Teamtalk reports that it should come as little surprise to the Old Trafford faithful if the club pursued the Moroccan “workhorse”.

Neil El Aynaoui has blown away Man United

According to the UK outlet, the 25-year-old’s brilliance at the World Cup has turned heads, with “a host of Premier League clubs are now closely monitoring the Morocco international following a series of outstanding performances.”

Brilliant in Morocco’s midfield alongside Ayyoub Bouaddi, El Aynaoui has outshone some of the world’s best midfielders, including Casemiro, Bruno Guimaraes, Ryan Gravenberch, and Frenkie de Jong, dictating play while combining defensive discipline with composure in possession and impressive athleticism.

The Serie A star is consequently having a brilliant summer. His brilliance, moreover, has seen a “number of clubs across Europe have already made contact regarding El Aynaoui’s situation, believing they can offer him a significantly bigger first-team role than he currently enjoys at the Stadio Olimpico.”

So in demand

Slowly becoming a man in demand, it is claimed that the Premier League is quickly emerging as his likely destination.

In fact, “Intermediaries have spoken with Manchester United, Liverpool, Chelsea, Aston Villa, Brighton, Bournemouth, Newcastle United and Sunderland about the midfielder’s availability.”

Man United have all the motivation to win this race

Teamtalk claim the player’s entourage are really hoping the player can seal a big move away from Roma, where he has not played much in his maiden season after signing from Lens.

Desperate to bolster their central midfield, Ineos should have all the motivation to win the race for El Aynaoui, who is unlikely to command the sort of crazy figures West Ham wanted for Fernandes.

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