CEO acknowledges star could depart as Manchester United target a midfielder similar to Mainoo

When Manchester United come calling, even the league champions know that keeping hold of one of their most-coveted players will be easier said than done. 

And Sven Jaecques, the CEO of the team that won their first league title in 57 years last season, understands that keeping a midfielder whose very varied skill set has been compared to that of Paul Pogba and N’Golo Kante may be out of reach.

Manchester United are looking for midfield reinforcements this summer. And what Mandela Kieta lacks in terms of Premier League experience and international appeal, at least when compared to Amadou Onana, Teun Koopmeiners, and Joao Neves, he could make up for in raw talent.

According to Voetbal Krant, Manchester United has sent scouts to watch Keita in action.

Manchester United could land another Mainoo-like midfielder

“The fact that I try to combine the two (Kante and Pogba) makes me quite unique, I think,” Keita stated a few years ago.

Of course, United already has a young midfielder on the roster who combines Pogba’s twinkle-toed footwork with the ball-winning abilities of a more defensively minded player. Kobbie Mainoo, although being only 18, is United’s best midfielder on the ball and, possibly, off it.

It is unclear at this time whether Manchester United want to make an approach this summer, when Casemiro, Christian Eriksen, and Sofyan Amrabat are all expected to go. Keita’s price has likewise not been publicized.