Manchester United keeping tabs on Lyon starlet Malo Gusto

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Manchester United are keeping tabs on Lyon and France Under-21 starlet Malo Gusto, according to 90min.

The 19-year-old, who plays at right-back, is emerging as one of the most-coveted players across Europe.

During the summer transfer window, L’Equipe reported that the Red Devils were ready to go toe-to-toe with Barcelona to sign the France Under-21 international.

As well as Barcelona, fellow European giants Atletico Madrid, Borussia Dortmund and Juventus are all credited with an interest in the talented teenager.

Manchester United keeping tabs on Lyon starlet Malo Gusto

Alongside the twenty-time league champions, scouts from Premier League sides Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester City and Tottenham have all been sent to compile reports on Gusto in recent weeks, reports 90min.

Diogo Dalot currently looks to be in charge of Manchester United’s right-back spot under Erik ten Hag.

And while the Reds will be keen to tie the former Porto youngster, whose contract expires next summer although United have the option of triggering a 12-month extension inserted in the deal, down to a long-term contract, the former Ajax manager will likely want the Portuguese international to be given greater competition.

Aaron Wan-Bissaka hasn’t featured since his four-minute cameo against Liverpool back in August, and that was his solitary appearance of the campaign.

Signed from Crystal Palace for £50m three years ago, United’s number 29 doesn’t look to form part of Ten Hag’s long-term plan at Old Trafford.

Ethan Laird is impressing on loan at Championship side Queens Park Rangers and Brandon Williams is yet to return to first team training at Carrington having missed Tour 2022.

If Laird continues to impress at Loftus Road for the duration of the campaign, then the Manchester United Academy graduate will likely return to Carrington next summer hopeful of challenging Dalot, or at least being his deputy.

But Ten Hag may opt to loan United’s number 41 out to a Premier League side, or even sanction his permanent departure like he did with James Garner this summer.

Gusto, whose contract at the Stade Gerland expires in 2024, established himself as a mainstay in Lyon’s side last season after making his debut in January 2021.

Like Dalot, the six-time France Under-21 international is an attack-minded right-back and he very much fits the profile of what is expected from the modern day full-back.

According to Fbref, no player across Europe’s top five leagues has successfully crossed the ball into the opposition’s penalty area than Gusto (14).

The signing of Gusto would potentially challenge and push Dalot in the same way Tyrell Malacia has to Luke Shaw.

But if Ten Hag sees the emerging French right-back as the right man to provide competition to Dalot then Manchester United look set to face stiff competition.