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Forget it Mourinho – This £31m Barcelona midfielder is not the right man for Manchester United at the moment

Can Andre Gomes Act As A Juan Mata Replacement For Manchester United?

Manchester United are reportedly harbouring an interest in Barcelona midfielder Andre Gomes. Things have not gone according to plan for Gomes ever since he moved to Camp Nou and he has failed to live up to his billing. Being in a club with as many celebrated stars as the Catalan giants can be quite daunting for a lot of big players and Gomes has just struggled to make a place for himself in the squad.

However, there seems to be hope for him with Manchester United understood to be interested in landing him. Strengthening the squad is a priority for Jose Mourinho, who is now under more pressure than ever. The Red Devils started off on a strong note and were even regarded as title challengers at one point. As days went by though, their power fizzled out and they have been putting up the same lacklustre performances that they were criticised for in the previous campaign.

This does not bode well for Mourinho, the club or the fans and the January window could prove to be fruitful if the manager plays his cards right. Also, with uncertainty surrounding Juan Mata’s future, a move for Gomes could act as a boon in the sense that he could eventually act as the former Chelsea star’s replacement. While that does seem like a tall order for the £31m-rated Gomes right now, it may not be such a bad idea for the future.

Andre Gomes
Andre Gomes

Gomes can be quite lethal and could thrive in a set-up that suits his abilities. Unfortunately, at Barcelona, he not only struggled to make a name for himself but also seemed to never fit in. Things could be different at Old Trafford and he could even be viewed as a Mata alternative in the long run. But can United afford the luxury of time?

Given the rising frustrations among the fans, it might not be a good idea for Mourinho to invest in a player who is only likely to be a work in progress. He may or may not prove to be solid on the field and at a time when the Red Devils are in dire need of attacking power, signing Gomes could prove to be a risk of sorts. With time and patience, Gomes could go on to become a force to be reckoned with but United are in need of reinforcements who can hit the ground running.

To that extent, splashing out money on the Barcelona midfielder at this point does seem unnecessary. Also, since Mourinho has bemoaned the lack of financial support he receives to purchase new players, perhaps he should steer clear of buying players who cannot guarantee immediate success.

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