Owen Hargreaves, watching Angel di Maria slot the coolest of 95th minute penalties into the Toulouse net to seal a big Europa League victory for Benfica in February, could not help but wonder what might have been.
The ill-fated 2014/15 season at Manchester United remains a very rare blot on the Argentine’s otherwise pristine copybook after all. A man who shone at Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain, Juventus and now back at Benfica destined to forever remain one of the biggest disappointments of the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era at Old Trafford.
“He’s an amazing player and he’s had such an amazing career,” Hargreaves, a member of Ferguson’s 2008 Champions League winning squad, told TNT Sport of Angel di Maria.
“It’s a shame it didn’t work out for him at Man United.”
But maybe Manchester United have the chance to make amends with Di Maria’s modern-day equivalent. And we don’t mean Alejandro Garnacho, the Red Devils whizzkid labelled an ‘incredible’ talent by his World Cup-winning compatriot a few months ago.
Can Manchester United sign the next Angel di Maria?
Man United are expected to delve deep into the South American market as the INEOS era begins. There have been links, already, with Agustin Ruberto, Thalys, Aaron Anselmino and more.
There is one player on United’s radar, however, who has his youth coach at River Plate drawing comparisons with one of the most decorated attackers of the modern era.
“He still has a long way to go and a lot to improve. He could be something similar to Angel Di Maria, a skilled and elegant left-footer,” Hermes Aldo Desio says of Franco Mastantuono, via Diario AS.
“In addition, he also likes to cut inside from the right wing (onto) his left foot.”
According to TYC Sports, via Scouts in Attendance, United have joined Manchester City, Real Madrid and Barcelona in scouting the 16-year-old with a £39 million release clause in his River Plate contract.
Another, rather obvious, comparison can be made between Mastantuono and one Yamine Lamal. Th Barcelona starlet is also only 16, and certainly does not look out of place at the very top level of European football. Lamal helped set up Raphinha’s opener during Wednesday’s 3-2 Champions League quarter-final win at Paris Saint-Germain.
And Desio has few doubts that Mastantuono could make a similar impact this side of the Atlantic.
‘Similar qualities’ to Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal
“I highlight, above all, his daring and bravery. At this age, he is already in the first-team. He is very ambitious in front of the opposition goal and has a multitude of technical resources,” Desio adds.
“He shoots from outside the area, has a good shot, dares to dribble at all times and also helps out defensively.
“Playing in River’s first-team at the age of 16 means that he has something different. Although he has not had very good matches in terms of his continuity in the game, we know that he has touches and flashes that can make a difference.
“Mastantuono has similar qualities to Yamal, such as dribbling and creativity.”
Desio believes that Mastantuono already possesses a European passport. As such, he will not have to wait until he is 18 to make that move to Europe.
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