Matt O’Riley’s ‘really poor’ form makes Manchester United move less likely

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Matt O’Riley has gone ‘off the boil’ at Celtic since being linked with a £20 million move to Manchester United.

One of the first names on Ange Postecoglou’s team sheet not so long ago, you certainly cannot say the same of the former Fulham youngster now, and a move to Manchester United looks further and further away.

O’Riley was a key cog in the Celtic machine which stormed to the Scottish Premiership title a year ago; pulling the strings with his surgical left boot while supplying a steady stream of high-quality set-pieces.

12 months on, the £1.5 million signing from MK Dons finds himself in and out of the Celtic XI. His place has come under sustained threat with Aaron Mooy rolling back the years and Reo Hatate weaving his unique brand of midfield magic, with O’Riley managing just one goal in 30 Scottish Premiership games. 

Manchester United reportedly like Celtic’s Matt O’Riley

“O’Riley has went off the boil hasn’t he?,” former Premiership defender Tam McManus tells PLZ Sport following another underwhelming performance during Sunday’s 2-0 win at Ross County.

“I thought he was poor yesterday. I saw him against Hibs (a 3-1 win in March) and I thought he was really poor.

“At the start of the season, we were talking about teams like Man United and that. I’m struggling to see how he’s in the (Celtic) team at the minute. David Turnbull must be knocking on the door to get in instead of him.”

Manchester United, ESPN report, were one of a number of high-profile clubs keeping tabs on the then-£20 million-rated O’Riley last year, alongside Liverpool, Arsenal, Newcastle United and Borussia Dortmund.

But while the injury-enforced absence of Christian Eriksen has highlighted the need for more control and composure in the advanced midfield positions at Old Trafford, it’s telling that the speculation surrounding O’Riley’s future has dissipated in recent months.

Though the London-born playmaker is, in his defence, only 22 years of age. What is it they say about the temporary nature of form?

“After taking Celtic by storm, it probably won’t be long before he has to go to the Premier League,” Danish pundit Jonas Hebo Rasmussen told TV2 of O’Riley, who qualifies for Denmark via his mother and was perhaps unfortunate to be left out of the Qatar World Cup squad.

“(A move to England) increases his chances of a place in the Danish national team. He is a box-to-box player with a good left foot and fine technique.”

Unless there is a dramatic turnaround, this is one we may be able to confidently chalk off Manchester United’s summer list.