It looked for a short while that there was a possibility Amadou Haidara could even be a Manchester United player by the start of January.
One report in The Sun claimed a deal was ‘all but done’. Well, the midfielder left for the African Cup of Nations still as a RB Leipzig player, and there are currently no indications United have plans to bring him to the club before the end of January.
A new report from the Mail claims his £33 million release clause can only be activated in the summer, so this is likely to be a deal which only gets done in the summer – if at all.
Haidara impresses on AFCON duty
Haidara was in action on Wednesday as Mali beat Hannibal’s Tunisia 1-0. He seized his chance to impress, while Hannibal found the contest tough, being substituted at half-time.
The result was an upset as far as the FIFA World Rankings are concerned, with Mali 53rd beating Tunisia, 30th.
Haidara’s performance was one which will have impressed any watching Manchester United scout.
The RB Leipzig star won more tackles than any player on the pitch, seven in total, per Whoscored.com.
Haidara also created two goalscoring chances, won one aerial duel, made one interception and blocked one shot.
This was all in an 80-minute stretch, with Mali substituting him ahead of the game’s controversial late finale.
Rangnick knows him well
Rangnick is unlikely to be Manchester United’s permanent manager next season, although he will be staying on as consultant.
He will be involved in transfer policy even if the next boss may get the final sign-off, and Rangnick could recommend a move for his former player, who he signed for RB Leipzig.
Speaking to Bundesliga.com, Rangnick said: “There aren’t many players his age with so much potential. He has all the requirements.”
He showed a flash of his quality in the AFCON yesterday, and while playing in the Premier League is a very different challenge, Haidara has a goal to his name against Manchester United in his career, which suggests he will be ready to rise to the challenge at Old Trafford if the opportunity arises.
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