da 888： Manchester United have been urged to sign Kaoru Mitoma as the Brighton winger would be an upgrade on their current attacking options.
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Red Devils lacking an attacking sparkCreative talents overthinking Saha wants to see Japan star snapped upWHAT HAPPENED?
The Red Devils have continued to splash the cash on creative talent in recent windows, with big-money deals done for the likes of Jadon Sancho, Antony and Mason Mount. Erik ten Hag’s side are, however, still lacking a spark, with Louis Saha claiming that is because those charged with the task of dribbling with the ball and making things happen are “thinking too much”.
AdvertisementGetty ImagesTHE BIGGER PICTURE
Former United striker Saha has told of moves he would be making in upcoming recruitment markets: “I would like to see Mitoma arrive at Old Trafford. He's a very exciting player and he never seems to have any doubt of the ball. He'll bombard defences with offensive moves all the time, and I love his energy and the way he plays with a smile. Mitoma is great to watch, and his attitude would be perfect for any club. Some players think too much, but Mitoma relies on instinct. You can tell he's worked very hard on the training ground to achieve this, and now he's got to a point where he looks like a natural.
“Managers know exactly what they're going to get from Mitoma, and he'd be a strong asset to any club. He'd be very exciting at Manchester United as they tend to have wide players who overthink. They play as if every defender is quicker than them, and that's why they don't often dribble or cross as much as they should. They're too worried that they won't get past defenders! They need to be more direct, and the only United forward who possesses that directness is Rasmus Hojlund. The other players are thinking too much.”
WHAT THEY SAID
While questioning those on the flanks, Saha has said of central playmaker Mount – who arrived from Chelsea over the summer in a £60 million ($77m) deal: “I think Mason Mount can be a lot better, but I'd say the fee was too much. I think Chelsea were playing a game with the fee, even if the market is very competitive and a lot of players have moved for similar fees. People will always have an opinion on transfer fees, and there'll be people who think even [Erling] Haaland and [Kylian] Mbappe cost too much! It's just the nature of football. I'd say, based on what we've seen, Mason Mount isn't performing and I've seen Casemiro play more offensively than Mount! That's a crazy thing to say, but it's true.”
Getty ImagesWHAT HAPPENS NEXT?
Mount has just one Carabao Cup assist to his name for United, while wide attackers Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho have only two goals between them. In contrast, Mitoma has already registered three goals and four assists this season – to go with the 10 efforts he plundered for Brighton last term.