Man Utd hold talks over signing Semenyo 2.0, he’s “like watching Giggs”
One of the numerous aspects that led to the swift conclusion of Ruben Amorim’s time at Manchester United was a clash regarding the club’s transfer strategies, with the Portuguese manager notably frustrated by the inability to acquire Antoine Semenyo this month. The 40-year-old reportedly advocated for Ollie Watkins and Emi Martinez during the summer prior to the signings of Benjamin Sesko and Senne Lammens, continuing his quest for players with Premier League experience alongside the acquisitions of Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha.
The Athletic reported that discussions were held with Semenyo as well, but since United declined to meet Bournemouth’s asking price, INEOS turned their attention to Mbeumo, although they still ended up spending over £65m on the Cameroonian. This ultimately may have influenced the 25-year-old’s choice to opt for Manchester City as his chosen destination this month, where he joined Pep Guardiola’s team for £62.5m, having already netted ten league goals this season.
Amorim, along with INEOS, was unable to secure their target, but a suitable alternative has now emerged…
Man Utd could have chance to sign Premier League winger this month
Another reason behind Amorim’s departure seemed to stem from his differences with Jason Wilcox concerning tactical arrangements, where it was suggested that the Englishman urged the former Sporting CP coach to adopt a permanent 4-3-3 formation.
The challenge with Wilcox’s request, however, is that the team has been assembled without a true, dedicated left-winger, with Cunha more suited for a number ten role and Patrick Dorgu – who played in that position against Burnley – appearing to excel when deployed on the right flank. With Alejandro Garnacho sold and Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho respectively sent out on loan, there exists a notable gap requiring attention in that area, which is why Semenyo represented an ideal option.
That said, as per TEAMtalk, a fresh opportunity may have arisen, indicating that United is among the clubs that have been made aware of Brighton and Hove Albion’s Kaoru Mitoma’s potential availability. According to the report, both United and Tottenham Hotspur, along with clubs from the Saudi Pro League, are being updated regarding the Japanese winger’s circumstances, with intermediaries trying to engage “all camps” to ascertain if a deal could be possible.
The 28-year-old, who is considered a long-term target for the United side, was the focus of a £50m offer from a Saudi club a year ago.
Why Mitoma could be Man Utd’s own Semenyo
Dynamic wingers have always been a hallmark of Manchester United’s legacy, and Mitoma could be an excellent fit to address the left-wing gap, as talkSPORT’s Tony Cascarino even likened him to “watching Ryan Giggs”:
“Mitoma is on another level. I said… that it is like watching Ryan Giggs at his very best…
“He was frightening, Ryan Giggs. He would just run at you when he was a winger. Obviously, he changed his game. But Mitoma just goes at people for fun.”
With blistering pace and a notable directness, it’s clear where this comparison originates, as Mitoma has recently showcased his skill by scoring in the 1-1 draw against City at the Etihad.
This marks the latest highlight from his productive spell at the Amex, amassing 47 goals and assists in 119 appearances across all competitions so far, including three goal contributions in five encounters against United. While he might have been contained by Aaron Wan-Bissaka during the 2023 FA Cup semi-final at Wembley, referring to his clash with the right-back as a “complete defeat,” he has caused persistent problems for Red Devils defenders over recent seasons.
Brighton vs Man Utd – 23 April 2023
| Brighton | Position | Man Utd |
|---|---|---|
| Sanchez | GK | De Gea |
| Gross | RB | Wan-Bissaka |
| Webster | CB | Lindelof |
| Dunk | CB | Shaw |
| Estupinian | LB | Dalot |
| Mac Allister | CDM | Casemiro |
| Caicedo | CDM | Eriksen |
| March | RM | Antony |
| Enciso | CAM | Fernandes |
| Mitoma | LM | Rashford |
| Welbeck | ST | Martial |
Much like Semenyo – and Giggs before him – he possesses a dynamic quality and boldness in his playing style, with the two players being identified as stylistically and statistically comparable performances in the Premier League last season, according to FBref.
That similarity is particularly evident in both players’ ball-carrying abilities, where Semenyo averages 1.95 successful take-ons per game, while Mitoma is not far behind at an average of 1.80 for the same statistic.
A successful take-on is noted when a player surpasses his opponent by directly propelling the ball past them while maintaining possession.
Additionally, both players contribute defensively as well, ranking in the top 3% and top 7% for blocks executed per 90 minutes, respectively.
He may not be at his highest level at this moment, unlike the former Bournemouth star, but as an alternative that could provide an instant impact for those at Old Trafford, Mitoma undoubtedly presents itself as an ideal substitute.
Published: 2026-01-11 06:10:00
source: www.footballfancast.com
