ESPN FC pundit Steve Nicol has backed Manchester United to come up with a renewed approach for Juventus’ Mario Mandzukic ahead of the January transfer window.
The Croatian was hotly tipped to replace Romelu Lukaku before the Premier League transfer deadline in August but the deal did not materialise due to a disagreement over the fee.
Mandzukic has since experienced a tough time in Turin where he has completely gone out-of-favour under Maurizio Sarri and he is expected to leave the club when the transfer window reopens.
Speaking on ESPN FC, Nicol said that United are very much certain to sign Mandzukic, given they have struggled to score regular goals during the early part of the campaign.
“I think it happens and I think it’s pretty much signed and sealed as well. So yeah I don’t think there’s any question this is a hit. He’s not going to do any worse [than what United have]. Mandzukic, an old campaigner, experienced. He will come in for a short period of time and do a good job,” he told ESPN FC as reported by The Express.
Mandzukic does not meet the manager’s policy of young and hungry players but he will nonetheless provide a short-term option for success with the view to spending big in the summer.
Mandzukic, who has previously won the Champions League with Bayern Munich, has recently turned down a move to Qatar with the ambition of making a Premier League switch.
Leave a Reply