Benni McCarthy let slip Erik ten Hag has been eyeing move for Manchester United target for 12 months

Add as preferred source on Google

Manchester United are reported to be eyeing a move for Taylor Booth as an alternative to Mason Mount.

According to The Mail, Manchester United have set sights on Eredivisie midfielder Taylor Booth as a lower cost Mason Mount alternative, amid stalled negotiations with Chelsea.

Booth is a player Erik ten Hag has had his eye on for a little while. The 22-year-old made 26 appearances for Utrecht last season.

Manchester United assistant coach Benni McCarthy had dropped a hint about United’s interest in Booth dating back 12 months.

READ: Confirmed Manchester United transfers in, out, loans, releases, youth for 2023/24

Benni McCarthy on Taylor Booth

In an interview with 947 Joburg earlier in June, Benni McCarthy explained he inadvertently had Taylor Booth to thank for him getting the job at Manchester United.

He explained: “Erik ten Hag came in and he spoke to my agent Rob Moore about one of the players that was playing in Holland and he asked Rob about an American player that Rob also managed.

“They were just speaking about that and once the conversation had ended, he said to him, ‘By the way, how’s Benni?'”

USA international Taylor Booth is managed by Moore, as detailed by Voetbal International.

Moore helped Booth land a move to Bayern Munich’s academy as a teenager, honing his craft at the same club Erik ten Hag developed his coaching skills years earlier.

A report in The Mail in February claimed Booth was a player on Manchester United’s radar, with Ten Hag paying close attention.

Utrecht director Jordy Zuidam admitted recently that Booth could be sold to raise funds, commenting: “I know that there is a lot of interest in players like Booth

“If we want to keep the club healthy, we have to make transfers. We aim to (bring in) about 12 million euros. You try to keep these boys, but you have to be realistic. And that will show in the coming (transfer) period.”

Whether Booth is ready for the step up to Manchester United is another matter. Ten Hag evidently believes he might get there, although he is not a top choice right now.

If he is signed, nobody could accuse Ten Hag of failing to do his research. Booth is a player the United boss has a close eye on, and the transfer links make sense.