Coach reacts to claims Manchester United are watching his £87m midfielder

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Manchester United are reportedly scouting Javi Guerra but Valencia boss Ruben Baraja is keen to ensure the midfielder’s focus is not affected by those Premier League links.

The so-called ‘Fergie Fledglings’ famously disproved Alan Hansen’s theory that you ‘cannot win anything with kids’, and a youthful Valencia outfit are making the cynics look similarly short-sighted over in Spain.

A Los Che XI with an average age of just 23 swatted aside Atletico Madrid 3-0 last week, and consolidated their place in the top six with a hard-fought point away at Almeria on Saturday.

20-year-old Javi Guerra – the baby-faced midfield diamond amongst a treasure trove of young gems – was in superb form again, scoring one and setting up the other in Almeria. In fact, Guerra is averaging a goal or an assist per start so far in 2023/24.

And with Manchester United keeping tabs on some of Europe’s most exiting young midfielders, Marca reports that Guerra has joined Royal Antwerp’s Arthur Vermeeren and Benfica’s Joao Neves on the Red Devils’ radar.

Manchester United scout Valencia’s Javi Guerra

Baraja, however, is quick to point out that Guerra still has a lot to learn. A big-money move can wait, maintaining the rapid rate of his progress the Valencia coach’s priority.

“Javi’s development has been very fast,” Baraja tells Super Deporte.

“He already finished the last season well and, this year, he has started being a protagonist in defensive actions, scoring goals… (Goals) always highlight a player’s work more.

“He has to be calmer, and we will try to get him to focus on what is important; working day by day. He still has to work, he is still very young.

“We have to know how to handle him. He only has to think about football.”

Three goals in four La Liga starts

Guerra, capped twice by Spain at U21 level, is also being eyed by deep-pocketed Newcastle United. He has an £87 million release clause in his contract but, as Marca point out, Guerra’s suitors believe he will be available for far less.