Russia international Sergei Pinyaev has missed his chance to secure a move to Premier League giants Manchester United, according to former Old Trafford icon Andrei Kanchelskis.
Despite continuing to go from strength-to-strength – becoming the youngest goalscorer in the history of the Russian national team at the age of just 18 – Sergei Pinyaev will not be pulling on the famous red shirt of Manchester United any time soon.
At least, that is the view of Andrei Kanchelskis, a two-time Premier League champion under Sir Alex Ferguson feeling that the ship may have sailed for a teenage winger who has reportedly remained on United’s radar since undergoing a trial with the Red Devils back in 2019.
Has Sergei Pinyaev missed Manchester United chance?
“If Pinyaev was not signed to Manchester United then, why should he be signed now?” Kanchelskis tells Sport24, the political situation surrounding Russia hardly helping matters.
“He doesn’t have any great chance of getting there. I would like a Russian footballer to continue my story at Manchester United, but this is unlikely.
“There will be no (Russian player) there for the next 25 years.”
Alongside the Lokomotiv Moscow starlet, Man United are reportedly taking an interest in Zenit St Petersburg defender Nuraly Alip. And Kanchelskis believes that, due to United’s need for a new centre-half, Alip has a far greater chance of sealing a move to Old Trafford than Pinyaev does at present.
Russia starlet likened to Cristiano Ronaldo
“The interest in Alip is explained by the fact that Manchester United need a defender,” Kanchelskis adds. “They have a problem in this position. Why is Pinyaev there?”
The emergence of Alejandro Garnacho as a player of genuine world-class potential under Erik ten Hag may hammered a nail into Pinyaev’s hopes.
The £25 million-rated speedster is also seemingly behind the likes of Yeremy Pino and Antonio Nusa on United’s wishlist as the Premier League giants scour the market for potential Jadon Sancho replacement.
“I have said many times that (Pinyaev) has qualities. The main thing is still his speed. He flies like a rocket,” former Arsenal ace and Russia legend Andriy Arshavin tells Such Football on YouTube. “He understands when it is necessary to pass the ball
“For me, Sergey is Cristiano Ronaldo. The way he plays, his style, he looks like the Portuguese.”
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