Manchester United have received further encouragement about one summer target after an ex-Arsenal star agreed with Nemanja Matic on an “absolute master” linked with an Old Trafford move.
Ruben Amorim has had difficulties since arriving at Manchester United and a big summer window is needed at the club to help improve the situation.
The Portuguese boss has implemented a new 3-4-3 system and there are various positions in that formation that United are looking to strengthen.
One of those roles is the duel no.10s behind the striker, with the Reds in need of technical players who can provide a threat in the final third.
Rayan Cherki has been among the names linked with an Old Trafford move and the 21-year-old would be a low-cost option who could provide United with exactly what they need.
So far this term the Frenchman has nine goals and 18 assists in 36 games and Amorim will have first-hand experience of playing against him in the Europa League quarter-final.
Ex-Arsenal star agrees with Matic on United target Cherki
Cherki is considered as one of the most impressive young talents across Europe and that opinion has been shared by former United midfielder Nemanja Matic, who is currently playing at Lyon.
The 36-year-old described his youthful teammate as an “amazing talent” before the clash against United and fellow Lyon star Ainsley Maitland-Niles has echoed that praise.
Maitland-Niles, formally of Arsenal, has played alongside the likes of Bukayo Saka, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Phil Foden but he believes that Cherki is the “best natural talent” he’s come across in the game.
Describing the 21-year-old as an “absolute master” with the ball at his feet, the praise from the ex-Gunner should tell United all they need to know about their target.
“He is the best natural talent I’ve ever seen. An absolute master, a wizard with the ball,” Maitland-Niles said of Cherki when speaking to the BBC.
“He is taking chances, assists and dragging us up the pitch by taking people on and nutmegging them – he is a genius.
“He is two-footed, has no fear, keeps going and going, can get past people with such ease, such finesse. He is now working for the team off the ball and has gone to another level this season.”
Cherki has chance to impress United in Europa League clash
Cherki remains an unknown entity to many United supporters who don’t watch Ligue 1 football but they are soon going to be aware of his talents.
Amorim and his side will be well aware of his threat and need to try and stop him over their two-leg clash in the Europa League.
But those games could also give an indication of whether they should push to sign him in the summer window. Impressing against the Reds will surely make Amorim and the recruitment team take close attention to his situation.
Read More: Kobbie Mainoo’s stance on Manchester United position swap ahead of Europa League return
Cherki is expected to leave Lyon in the summer and reports have suggested that he would cost less than £30 million – a price which would certainly entice those at Old Trafford.
The likes of Matic and Maitland-Niles have explained how good this player is and now he has the opportunity to show United that in the flesh.
Make sure to follow UtdDistrict on X, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok to never miss out on any of our Manchester United content. Our podcast, What the Devil?, is streamed live every Thursday at 12:30 pm (BST) on the United View YouTube channel.