
Manchester United are set to scout a highly-rated Serie A player with the club ramping up their preparations ahead of the summer transfer window.
Manchester United are keen to add a new winger to their squad this summer.
While revamping the midfield will be the club's main priority, their pursuit of Antoine Semenyo in January shows that their is an appetite at Old Trafford to add attacking quality on the flanks.
Following Alejandro Garnacho, Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford's departures last summer, United have a lack of out-and-out wingers. Various reports claim that Rashford will leave Old Trafford again this summer, irrespective of whether Barcelona sign him permanently. Sancho will also leave the club permanently this summer following the expiry of his contract.
RB Leipzig's Yan Diomande is highly rated at United, but the German club's demands for the winger would complicate a potential deal. United have also been strongly linked to Aston Villa's Morgan Rogers, although several other clubs are also said to be targeting a move for the Englishman. Everton's Iliman Ndiaye has also been linked to a move to Old Trafford.
United set to scout Leão
In addition to Diomande, Rogers and Ndiaye, Rafael Leão is reportedly another name United are looking at as the summer transfer window approaches.
According to Calciomercato, United will send scouts to the San Siro on Sunday night to watch Leão in Milan's game against Juventus.
The report also claims that Barcelona, who are reportedly reluctant to make Rashford's loan deal permanent, have also made enquiries about Leão, but without success so far.
Calciomercato reports that Milan would consider offers of £43-52 million for Leão, significantly less than his £130 million release clause.
What kind of winger do United need to sign?
Matheus Cunha has played a lot of minutes on the left wing since Michael Carrick's arrival. He has got better at holding the width, but his best qualities still lie closer to goal in more central spaces.
Cunha could play on the left wing long-term, but would need an overlapping full-back to hold the width to allow the Brazilian to move more centrally. The problem is Bryan Mbeumo also likes to move closer to the goal, and having two ultra-attacking full-backs could leave United defensively vulnerable.
United also lack wingers who can run in behind. Cunha mainly likes to receive the ball between the lines, as does Amad. Mbeumo is the only winger United has who can reliably make runs in behind.
With all of this in mind, it is clear United need a winger who can hold the width and make runs in behind.
It's a role that Leao could certainly play. He has the 1v1 ability to hold the width. Diomande would also suit this profile, albeit he has played the majority of his minutes on the right so far this season.
The need for this profile makes the links to Rogers somewhat perplexing, considering he is similar to Cunha in the sense that he also likes to play in more central areas and isn't a prolific runner in behind.



