Man Utd officials fly out to make in-person checks on signing their new Depay

After years of struggle under the likes of Erik ten Hag and Ruben Amorim, temporary manager Michael Carrick has installed a winning mindset back into the Manchester United squad.

The 44-year-old has claimed nine wins out of his 13 games in charge of the Red Devils to date, subsequently putting the club in a superb position to secure Champions League football next term.

His immediate impact has handed the fanbase a reason to be positive about the players who wear the famous red shirt – but it also could have a huge impact on the club’s recruitment.

Qualification for Europe’s biggest competition brings huge money for the hierarchy, whilst also opening the door to world-class talents making the move to Old Trafford.

Despite the transfer window being a few months away, INEOS have already started work on numerous players ahead of the view to making big-money additions.

Man Utd start work on a deal to land European star

Despite the need for added midfield reinforcements this summer, the United hierarchy have started to turn their attention to the attacking department in recent weeks.

AC Milan’s star Rafael Leao is just one player who’s caught the attention of the board as of late, with the Portuguese international a player who’s emerged as a potential addition.

It’s even been reported that the Red Devils are set to make an offer for the 26-year-old star, who could be available for as little as £40m during the upcoming window.

However, Leao isn’t the only attacking talent currently on United’s radar, with Ajax star Mika Godts another who’s hugely admired by staff behind the scenes.

Reports last month revealed that United had already held talks with Ajax over a potential move and they are set to up their pursuit of the player in the coming days.

According to Dutch outlet Voetbal International, the Red Devils will be in the stands this coming weekend to watch the Belgian star, who’s registered 29 combined goals and assists this term.

The report also confirms that the likes of Arsenal and Chelsea have emerged as potential suitors for the 20-year-old sensation when the transfer window opens in June.

No fee is revealed for the youngster within the article, but it’s evident that a huge race for his signature could well unfold during the months ahead.

Why Godts would be United’s next Memphis Depay

Completing the signing of highly-rated youngsters from the Eredivisie certainly hasn’t been alien to United in recent times – as seen with the move to land winger Memphis Depay back in 2015.

The Dutch international arrived at Old Trafford from PSV for a reported £30m, with huge expectations on the attacker to be a long-term star within the senior ranks.

However, the move proved to be a disaster for all parties, as the now 32-year-old only managed to feature on 53 occasions – subsequently scoring just seven goals.

He would only last 18 months in Manchester before departing for French side Lyon – as the Red Devils sold him for just £16m and losing nearly half of their original investment.

As a result, many fans would fear the potential arrival of Godts this summer, but they shouldn’t worry, with the Belgian a player who’s readymade for top-level European football, notably hailed as “the next Khvicha Kvaratskhelia” by some content creators.

His remarkable tally of 29 combined goals and assists this term undoubtedly make him an exciting prospect – but his underlying stats further showcase the talent he possesses at a tender age.

Godts, who’s been dubbed “one of the best young talents” by one Belgian expert, has placed 51% of his shots this term on target, whilst averaging 1.4 efforts on target per 90.

The aforementioned figures demonstrate his ability to constantly trouble the goalkeeper in the attacking third – which could hand United yet another impressive forward option at Old Trafford.

However, his biggest asset is certainly his ability to get past the opposition – as seen by his incredible tally of 2.9 successful dribbles completed per 90 in the Eredivisie.

Godts has completed 79 dribbles within his 29 league games for Ajax this campaign – the most of any player in the division – with no other player able to register above 50. On that evidence, it’s easy to see why he has been compared to Kvaratskhelia.

He’s often putting the finishing touches on his mazy runs in 2025/26, subsequently creating 2.7 chances per 90 this term – also the highest of any player in the Dutch top-division.

The Belgian is a rare all-round talent, with his tally of 6.8 touches in the opposition box per 90 making him the perfect fox-in-the-box talent to go alongside his remarkable dribbling ability.

At just 20 years of age, it really is a scary prospect to imagine how much the youngster can improve and develop further throughout his professional career.

He’s already demonstrated his ability to cause carnage to the opposition despite his tender age – whether that be with his goalscoring, dribbling or chance creation.

Whilst it’s unclear how much a deal for Godts would cost this summer, the Red Devils must ensure they act quickly to secure his services – especially considering the interest from numerous English rivals.

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