For the past ten or so years, Manchester United has been surrounded by doom and gloom. It’s amazing that it’s been more than a decade since their last Premier League triumph, but better times are still ahead.

A more optimistic image has been drawn with INEOS and Sir Jim Ratcliffe in charge. There may be a new Old Trafford in the works, but for now, there’s the summer window to deal with.

It’s unclear where United will end up next season. Despite their disadvantage in the race for Champions League football, fans’ optimism has been rejuvenated by Erik ten Hag’s team after their thrilling eight-day FA Cup quarterfinal triumph against Liverpool.

Diallo, Amad, Anthony, Man, United
So, what steps do they take to make this team better? Without a doubt, there will be many options, but it would be wise to bring through the youth. You come to mind, Kobbie Mainoo.

Targets for Man United’s summer transfers

A new central defender should undoubtedly be high on United’s priority list after injuries have decimated their defensive positions this season.

Lille’s Leny Yoro has been mentioned, and other rumours have suggested that Jarrad Branthwaite of Everton may be involved. As we previously mentioned, younger players seem to be the norm at Old Trafford.

That is still the case while looking at Mathys Tel of Bayern Munich. He was mentioned as a possible summer transfer target for United by Sky Sports back in mid-February.

Munich, Mathys, Tel-Bayern
According to them, the Red Devils are ‘eager’ to sign the forward, who is definitely one of their possibilities.

Tel’s reputation suggests that a move might be fairly costly, even though the 18-year-old is valued at £32 million by CIES Football Observatory.

Why Mathys Tel surpasses Kobbie Mainoo in talent

Rio Ferdinand, a legend of Manchester United, murmured the following remarks during the legendary argument between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo years ago: “People try and make comparisons about who’s better, just enjoy them man.”

While we do not for a second claim that Tel and Mainoo are on the same level, we will temporarily disregard Rio’s counsel in order to support why the former would be such an exciting addition.

This phrase, Mainoo has emerged with considerable style. Prior to the 2023–24 season, the midfield player had made just three appearances for the team, with his lone start coming in the Carabao Cup against Charlton Athletic.

Amad, Mainoo, Diallo, Hojlund, and Rasford
Now, let’s fast-forward to the current campaign, where Ten Hag considers our man Mainoo an indispensable member of his team.

After the 3-0 victory over Everton at Goodison Park in 2023–2024, the teenager was admitted into the team for the first time and hasn’t looked back. Since that victory, Mainoo has only missed two league games, starting 11 of the 12 games that have taken place since the 0-0 draw with Liverpool.

With his astounding consistency for one of the biggest teams in the world, the 18-year-old has already been given his England debut. Mainoo wasn’t ready, Gareth Southgate declared as he unveiled his team for the upcoming matches. But, after witnessing him compete in the FA Cup, he swiftly had a change of heart. The young player was called up to the senior team right away, and last Saturday against Brazil, he came off the bench.

Conversely, Tel has not yet made his France national team debut. Given Didier Deschamps’ extraordinary talent, this is hardly surprising, but it won’t take long.

Munich’s Mathys-Tel-Bayern Premier League
Ultimately, the assailant might possess greater skill than Mainoo. The Bayern wonder, who can mostly play off the left wing, has been playing fantastically since making his debut this season. In 33 appearances, he has scored eight goals and provided four assists.

According to expert Ben Mattinson, Tel is a “ball-striking machine” and a “elite level goal-scorer” due to his current form; FBRef’s castle of analytics explains even more of why he’s so fascinating.

By the stats-based platform, the Frenchman is in the top 2% of similarly positioned players in Europe’s top five leagues for non-penalty goals, assists, touches, and successful takeaways, when compared to players like Phil Foden, Lamine Yamal, and Bukayo Saka. Tel carries everything.

It’s interesting to note that he’s listed higher than Mainoo in GOAL’s NXGN list for 2024, a prestigious accolade that recognises the world’s finest young talent annually.

2024 NXGN: Top 15 Wonderkids

Participant

Club

Guillaume Restes, #15

Toulouse

#14 Kendry Paez

Valle Independiente

#13 Roony Bardghji

FC Copenhagen

#12 Jorrel Hato

Ajax

#11 Antonio Nusa

Club Brugge

#10 Leny Yoro

Lille

Claudio Echeverri (#9)

Man City (loan of River Plate)

#8 Kenan Yildiz

Juventus

Kobbie Mainoo, #7

Man United

#6: Vitor Roque

Barcelona

#5 Arda Guler

Madrid Real

#4 Mathys Telephone

Munich Bayern

#3 Emery Warren Zaire

PSG

#2 Endrick

Palmeiras

#1 Yamal Lamine

Barcelona

list put together by GOAL.

The fact that so many players are on that list just serves to highlight how highly regarded the Bayern star is.

This season, Mainoo has been nothing short of extraordinary for United, but they might recruit a player in Tel who has even greater potential. That seems a bit exciting, doesn’t it?