Manchester United fans who have followed the team’s transfer activity, or lack there of, in the market over the past couple of seasons will be familiar with the name Moises Caicedo.
Caicedo was linked to Manchester United in late December 2020 and January 2021, touted as a bargain move for a midfield wonderkid who had already made his international debut for Ecuador.
The central midfielder was viewed as a low risk option at just £5 million, and the Manchester Evening News wrote an editorial praising United’s interest in Caicedo as the next step in a transfer strategy buying young stars from across the globe, following moves for Facundo Pellistri and Amad. The MEN claimed United were working on a deal.
The trail then went cold. United backed off, which the New York Times reported was due to complicated demands from the player’s representatives.
It was not a deal which was too difficult for Brighton to pull off, with the Premier League side managing to get Caicedo signed for just £4.5 million.
A while to get going
Since joining Brighton, Caicedo has not exactly made an immediate impact.
The first Manchester United fans saw of him was when he played for Brighton in an under-23 game against the Red Devils last March. United won the match and kept a clean sheet.
Caicedo was then sent out on loan to Belgian club Beerschot last summer, before being recalled with Brighton losing Yves Bissouma to AFCON duty.
Faded from view as quickly as he appeared, there was little evidence to suggest Manchester United should have snapped him up, given his failure to immediately establish himself in Brighton’s midfield.
At the weekend he may have given cause to reconsider that view, after making his Premier League debut for Brighton in an away win over Arsenal.
Patience paid off
Brighton’s patience in Caicedo may have paid off. 15 months after he signed for the club, he was impressive in their surprise 2-1 win over the Gunners on Saturday, a result which would have done Manchester United a favour had the Red Devils not been so incompetent themselves.
Caicedo provided an assist, made five recoveries, and had two shots at goal in a strong all round performance in which he showed he is ready for Premier League football.
At 20-years-old, Caicedo’s stock is pointing up, and Brighton may have gem on their hands. Perhaps this was an investment Manchester United should have made after all.
At United of course, Caicedo may have had neither the patience or opportunity. He probably would have been farmed out on loan right now like Amad and Pellistri, who are barely playing for their loan sides.
It’s all very well being able to identify young talent, but United have not shown they know how to use them.
It’s probably in Caicedo’s best interests the Red Devils did not snap him up; he seems to be doing just fine right now, and United will probably pay £50 million for him in a few years’ time.
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