Manchester United come up against Real Sociedad next week in the Europa League.
Adnan Januzaj is one of Sociedad’s notable threats, as is top scorer Mikel Oyarzabal. Another is current player of the month Alexander Isak.
Isak is now 22. He is a player who has been on the radar of top clubs around Europe for five years now.
The Sun reported back in 2016 how Manchester United were one of dozens of clubs around Europe who were scouting him after he impressed back in Sweden with AIK.
In 2017 Isak signed with Borussia Dortmund, turning down Real Madrid, according to Aftonbladet.
The football world seemed to be at his feet, with Isak earning an international debut at just 17.
Isak’s stint in Germany did not go as planned. He failed to earn a spot in Dortmund’s first team and was sent on loan to Willem II in Holland.
This stint proved valuable to Isak as he scored 13 goals in 16 games, earning a permanent move to Real Sociedad in 2019 for just £6.4 million [BBC].
Rejuvenated in Spain
Isak will be a threat across both legs for United. He has scored three goals in his last two games and four in his last four, plus one assist.
In total this season he has eight goals, with five of them coming already in 2021.
He is well on his way to surpassing last season’s steady tally of nine goals from his debut campaign in La Liga.
What makes Isak dangerous is his ability to take players on. He completed three dribbles in Sociedad’s win over Cadiz, a performance in which he scored twice.
At 6ft 4″ he is also strong in the air and good at holding the ball up. Adept with the ball at his feet and possessing strength, Isak is an awkward player for defenders to face.
What makes him an interesting player is that he is only 21-years-old still. There is a lot of potential still to come from him, and the matches with Manchester United could be the biggest games of his career to date.
A chance for Isak to impress
One year ago in February 2020, United chief scout Marcel Bout was pictured watching Sociedad in action.
El Diario Vasco pictured Bout and claimed he was there to watch Isak, along with Willian Jose, who recently signed with Wolves. The MEN also reported on this.
Whether Isak is currently on United’s radar or not, he has a chance to get back into our plans over the next fortnight when he plays two legs against us in the Europa League clashes.
He has a £60 million release clause in his contract, BBC Sport report. Dortmund can sign him for half that fee due to a buy-back clause, but he is adamant he won’t return, telling Sportbladet: “I have no idea at all of going back there.”
United’s long-term striker option remains unclear. Anthony Martial has plenty of questions hanging over him, while Edinson Cavani is a short-term fix.
Isak is a talented player who at 21 still has a big future ahead. His upcoming games against United could be pivotal for his career.
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