SUMMARY
- With the January transfer window now open, the clubs will be looking to sign new players and release some of the players.
- United's big-money signing of the ex-Chelsea star Mason Mount has also failed with Mount yet to score his first goal for his new club.
Manchester United has reportedly turned its sights on a young Ecuadorian star labeled as the new Moises Caicedo. With the January transfer window now open, the clubs will be looking to sign new players and release some of the players. United, however, has found its ideal player to reinforce their struggling midfielder with the talented Oscar Zambrano.
Over the last few seasons, Manchester United has struggled to rebuild its once-formidable midfielder. Despite acquiring players like Bruno Fernandes, Casemiro, Christian Eriksen, and so on, United’s signings haven’t gone according to the plan. Moreover, United’s big-money signing of the ex-Chelsea star Mason Mount has also failed with Mount yet to score his first goal for his new club.
Despite signing big players for massive fees, Manchester United’s midfielder has been a major source of problems for the English giants. Over the years, the club has bought some of the biggest names in the soccer world, including paying a then-record fee of $114 million for French star Paul Pogba in 2016. However, United’s signings haven’t paid off with the club still waiting for their next Premier League title for over a decade.
Jupp Heynckes: “What constitutes a great signing? Paul Pogba cost Manchester United €105 million. Is he playing like [a great signing]?” pic.twitter.com/6psw2iMHM0
— Squawka Live (@Squawka_Live) January 15, 2018
However, the current Manchester United management believes that Oscar Zambrano could be the answer to their problems. Despite being just 19, Zambrano has already built his reputation as one of the most talented youngsters in the soccer world. With his current market value of just $3.2 million, signing Zambrano could prove to be a steal for the Red Devils.
Manchester United is reportedly leading the race to sign Oscar Zambrano
According to journalist Christian Martin, Manchester United is reportedly in pole position to sign the Ecuadorian wonderkid Oscar Zambrano. Zambrano, who plays as a midfielder for the Ecuadorian side LDU Quito, has been grabbing the attention of several English clubs. Besides United, clubs like Brighton and Luton Town are also interested in him.
🚨🇪🇨 JUST IN!!
Manchester United and Brighton are showing sudden interest in LDU Quito midfielder Óscar Zambrano (19)!
People at Old Trafford call Zambrano the “new Moisés Caicedo”. #MUFC [@askomartin] pic.twitter.com/J4YlrtS2as
— mufcmpb (@mufcMPB) January 4, 2024
The 19-year-old could play the role of a traditional number eight for United if they manage to sign him. He has been dubbed as ‘the next Moises Caicedo’ after the Chelsea defensive midfielder. Both Zambrano and Caicedo have a similar style of play. Both Caicedo and Zambrano are primarily defensive midfielders but are also excellent in the attacking half of the pitch.
Currently, Zambrano has scored one goal and provided one assist for his club, LDU Quito, in 48 appearances. While Zambrano is yet to make his debut for Ecuador’s senior national team, he was a part of his country’s U-20 side at the 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup. In what was a disappointing tournament for Ecuador that ended in the round of 16, Oscar Zambrano was one bright spot.
Exploring how Manchester United missed out on Moises Caicedo
Manchester United would be hoping to not repeat their mistake in the pursuit of Oscar Zambrano. Before United’s pursuit of Zambrano, the club was interested in signing Moises Caicedo. The Premier League giants were looking to buy Caicedo when he was 19 but they later walked away from the deal. However, that decision has come back to haunt United in the past.
Moises Caicedo scored Brighton’s opening goal in their 4-0 rout of United back in 2022. Since then, he also went on to mastermind yet another victory against the Manchester-based club. Brighton, who signed Caicedo instead of United, has also made an excellent profit from the 22-year-old star. Since buying Caicedo for just $4.9 million, Brighton sold him to Chelsea last year for a massive $145 million.