The next Di Maria: Man Utd lodge offer to sign "world-class talent"
da 888： Whatever happens in the Europa League over the next few weeks, those at Manchester United will be fully aware that they are once again approaching a crucial transfer window in the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era.
da stake casino： In truth, amid what has been the club’s worst-ever Premier League season, the INEOS regime can’t afford another wrong turn this summer, with new boss Ruben Amorim needing to be handed the appropriate tools in order to revive this sleeping giant.
There had been minimal signs of progress upon the Portuguese’s arrival – namely impressive displays away at both the Etihad and Anfield – although results have spiralled in recent months, with the top-flight now merely an unwanted distraction for those at Old Trafford.
The club’s current standing in the bottom half of the table has showcased that major surgery is needed ahead of next term, with the club reportedly already beginning that operation by ramping up their pursuit of Wolverhampton Wanderers talisman, Matheus Cunha.
That move for the Brazilian sensation certainly won’t be the last move of the summer, if recent reports are anything to go by.
Latest on Man Utd's transfer search
While last summer still appeared to be partly led by then-boss Erik ten Hag, amid the signings of Matthijs de Ligt, Joshua Zirkzee and Noussair Mazraoui, the common theme of the INEOS era has been youth.
Indeed, the Red Devils managed to edge Real Madrid in the race for Lille teenager, Leny Yoro, while the club have since brought in Ayden Heaven and Patrick Dorgu during the January window.
The Old Trafford side have also dipped into the South American market to land Paraguayan starlet, Diego Leon, ahead of 2025/26, with that a move that could be replicated amid their interest in River Plate’s Franco Mastantuono.
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According to Argentine outlet Soy del Millio, offers have reportedly been lodged for the 17-year-old superstar, with United, Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid named as the clubs who have made an approach.
The teenager – who has a €45m (£38m) release clause in his existing deal – would likely represent a signing for the future, however, not least with River insisting that he is set to remain in his homeland until the end of the current league season, which finishes in December.
Whether that is merely a bargaining tool or not remains to be seen, although if INEOS can strike a deal over the coming months, it would certainly be a welcome one.
Why Man Utd could be set to land Di Maria 2.0
From Juan Seba Veron to Carlos Tevez, the Red Devils have no doubt welcomed some high-profile Argentine talents to Manchester in the 21st Century, with the now-veteran Angel Di Maria perhaps one of the more polarising of the lot.
Signed from Real Madrid on a £59.7m deal back in the summer of 2014, the silky left-footer simply never appeared to settle at the Theatre of Dreams, having sealed a hasty exit to PSG just a year later.
At odds with manager Louis van Gaal, the then-number seven could only show flashes of his quality in the red jersey, including his memorable dink against Leicester City in the early stages of the 2014/15 campaign.
As he has showcased elsewhere, Di Maria – who did chalk up 15 goals and assists in just 32 games for United – is an undoubted superstar, as evidenced by his 121 goal involvements in just 190 games in Madrid, alongside 212 goal involvements in just 295 games in Paris.
In many ways, young Mastantuono looks to be the second coming of his compatriot, not least due to his ability to operate on the flanks or in a central role, while waving his wand of a left foot to devastating effect.
Previously described as a “world-class talent” and “one of the most talented players of his age category in South America” by scout Jacek Kulig, the teen playmaker has four goals and two assists to his name in 13 games in 2025 to date, despite his relative youth.
In total, the in-demand talent boasts 12 goal involvements in just 55 games at senior level, with his form across the last year or so seeing him recognised as statistically similar to Di Maria, among those in their position outside of Europe’s top five leagues, as per FBref.
Di Maria vs Mastantuono – last 365 days
Stat (per 90)
Di Maria
Mastantuono
Non-penalty goals
0.16
0.07
Assists
0.21
0.20
Shot-creating actions
5.09
6.00
Progressive passes
8.46
6.26
Progressive carries
3.89
3.26
Successful take-ons
1,56
3.65
Touches in opposition box
5.81
4.82
Progressive passes received
10.59
10.95
Tackles
0.88
2.28
Interceptions
0.42
0.20
Stats via FBref
That likeness is notably evident with regard to their creative streak, with Mastantuono ranking in the top 12% of his positional peers for progressive passes per 90, while the current Benfica star ranks in the top 2% in that regard.
Equally, the pair are also alike with regard to their record for shot-creating actions per 90, with the younger man ranking in the top 4%, while Di Maria ranks in the top 12% for that same metric.
Such likeness should bode well for the career that Mastantuono can have in the game, and while there may be concerns that he might go the same way as his compatriot at Old Trafford, he surely represents an exciting talent for Amorim to be able to nurture.
Of course, United are in need of ready-made figures who can immediately improve the first-team ranks, although looking to the future is also vital amid INEOS’ long-term project.
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