Manchester United manager target compared 22-year-old star attacker Red Devils want to Ronaldinho

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Manchester United looked to Italy last summer in the transfer window. Summer 2024 could follow suit.

The big difference this time around, is that Manchester United might be looking at a manager from Serie A too.

With rumours swirling over Erik ten Hag‘s future, Ineos have a decision to make. One of the most intriguing names linked is Bologna’s Thiago Motta.

Per TEAMtalk, Thiago Motta is of interest to United, after leading the unfancied Serie A side up to fourth place in the table, ahead of Roma, and last year’s champions Napoli.

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Manchester United linked to Bologna striker Joshua Zirkzee

Motta is not the only Bologna figure on Manchester United’s radar. The club has been linked since late last year to striker Joshua Zirkzee, who the Serie A side signed from Bayern Munich.

Sport Italia reported last month that United’s interest in Zirkzee is stronger than any other club.

Zirkzee has struck 11 goals this season and provided three assists, and at just 22, he is an intriguing prospect to add up top alongside Rasmus Hojlund.

Quite clearly, if United were to bring in Thiago Motta, then he could give the club a clear advantage to sign Zirkzee in the summer.

What Thiago Motta has said about Joshua Zirkzee

Thiago Motta has made clear how highly he rates Joshua Zirkzee, by comparing him to an iconic former superstar, just last month.

He was quoted via Football Italia: “He said that his idols are Ibrahimovic and Batistuta, who are two excellent players.

“Seeing him day to day, he reminds me of the Ronaldinho I played with at Barcelona, but I cannot compare him to anyone. He is Joshua, he is special, he enjoys his football and above all works very hard in training.

“Since the first day of pre-season, he has always been the first to arrive at the camp. He has become a leader and it’s all to his credit. We just need to keep accompanying him, because he is certainly on the right path.”

Manchester United famously missed out on Ronaldinho in 2003. 21 years later, could the club be tempted to take a chance on the rare player who has been likened to him?

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