When discussing Manchester United’s long-running malaise, many will point to the end of the Sir Alex Ferguson dynasty as a defining, watershed moment in the club’s fortunes, with the Scotsman’s retirement marking the end of the Red Devils’ domestic dominance.
It could be argued, however, that the slide had begun even prior to Fergie’s exit, with even his own recruitment – while impacted by the Glazer takeover in 2005 – needing to be put under the microscope.
Indeed, cast your mind back to the summer of 2009. United had just romped to a third successive Premier League title, having also been defeated by Barcelona in what was a second Champions League final in a row.
Two league titles and another outing in a European showpiece did follow over the next four years, yet that moment marked the beginning of the end for the last of Ferguson’s great United sides, with Carlos Tevez moving on to upstart rivals Manchester City, while Cristiano Ronaldo sealed a long-awaited, world record switch to Real Madrid.
To make matters worse, the incomings could hardly have been more underwhelming. Ronaldo’s number seven shirt was taken over by an ageing Michael Owen, while options on the flanks were ‘bolstered’ by the signings of Antonio Valencia and, who can forget, Gabriel Obertan.
In many ways, that Ronaldo-shaped void on the flanks has hardly been filled in the years since, despite a plethora of attacking signings. Could that soon be set to change?
Latest on Man Utd's search for a forward
Ruben Amorim’s pursuit of Matheus Cunha has highlighted that the Portuguese is potentially seeking a different profile of player to operate in one of the two number ten berths, with the towering Wolverhampton Wanderers man more comfortable in a central role than on the flanks.
The need for a genuine winger in the 3-4-3 setup can be questioned – a fact highlighted by doubts over Alejandro Garnacho’s future at Old Trafford – although it is not unrealistic to assume that a potential attacking target could be moulded into what Amorim wants from his forwards.
Sometimes, there are options out there that are simply too good to ignore, with Paris Saint-Germain’s Desire Doue seemingly one of them. As reported in Spain, the Red Devils are believed to be ‘vying’ for the Frenchman’s signature.
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The highly-rated teenager only made the move to Paris from Stade Rennais on a £43m deal last summer, although a dazzling debut campaign at the Parc des Princes has earned unsurprising glances from afar, with INEOS said to have placed the 19-year-old at the ‘centre of their transfer radar’.
The suggestion is that such interest ‘goes beyond’ simply monitoring his progress, although a deal certainly ‘won’t be easy’ – not least if Luis Enrique and co stick to their reported €300m (£275m) asking price.
Something would have to give in that regard if a deal was to be agreed, although a move for Doue could represent United’s best since the days of ‘CR7’.
Man Utd could land their best winger since Ronaldo
Once the home of Ryan Giggs and David Beckham, the Theatre of Dreams has become a real graveyard for wingers, in particular, in recent times, with a raft of high profile stars having come and gone across the last decade or so.
Antony
96
12
5
17
Anthony Elanga
55
4
4
8
Amad
57
12
10
22
Jadon Sancho
83
12
6
18
Alejandro Garnacho
138
25
21
45
Dan James
74
9
9
18
Angel Di Maria
34
4
12
16
Henrikh Mkhitaryan
63
13
11
24
Memphis Depay
53
7
6
13
As evidenced in the table above, marquee moves for the likes of Jadon Sancho and Antony – signed for £73m and £86m, respectively – have simply backfired, with United rarely getting bang for their buck.
Perhaps only Marcus Rashford – now out on loan at Aston Villa – has truly impressed for an extended period in the wake of Ronaldo, after chalking up 138 goals in 426 games, albeit with the Englishman’s best work having perhaps actually come in a central role, rather than out wide.
Has there really been anyone close to Ronaldo’s ilk post-2009?
Has anyone come close to the Portuguese’s Ballon d’Or-winning pomp in 2008, when he ravaged all before him?
It is still early days in his senior career, although the teenage Doue is showing signs of potentially emerging as a world-class sensation in his own right, having been hailed as a “superstar in the making” by journalist Julien Laurens.
Likened to his idol, Neymar, amid his switch to the French captial, the former Rennes starlet has already registered 25 goals and assists in 48 games in all competitions this season, including six goal involvements in just 14 Champions League outings.
It is that form on the continent which has notably caught the eye, with Doue memorably rifling home in exquisite fashion in PSG’s first-leg win over Villa, having left Emi Martinez looking utterly helpless in the visiting goal.
Described as the ‘talk of Europe’ by BBC Sport’s Phil McNulty, the in-demand winger also showed flashes of his quality against Arsenal on Tuesday night, having produced a delightful Neymar-esque touch at one stage to control the ball.
Fleet of foot and with a desire to beat his man, Doue perhaps emulates Ronaldo in that regard, with such dribbling prowess evidenced by the fact that he ranks in the top 4% among his European peers for successful take-ons, and in the top 7% for progressive carries per 90, as per FBref.
A successful take-on is recorded when a player beats their opponent by directly carrying the ball past them while retaining possession.
Also comfortable operating on either flank – much like Ronaldo was during his time under Fergie – the rising star looks destined to dazzle for years to come, with French football now boasting another ‘superstar’ to celebrate.
Yes, Amorim’s approach may not necessarily offer a home to a winger in the traditional sense, but Doue – who can also operate as a number ten – would a sensational upgrade in any of United’s attacking roles.
He could even end the long wait at Old Trafford for a Ronaldo-level superstar out wide…
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