Manchester United are reportedly tracking AC Milan’s wantaway Rafael Leao, but it might be a risky move for the club, and not necessarily for technical reasons.
The Red Devils are finalising Ederson’s transfer from Atalanta, and they’re expected to recruit another couple of midfielders. The club is also in the market for a new left-back who can ease the burden off Luke Shaw’s shoulder.
Moreover, United could pursue a new right-footed left winger to bolster their attacking ranks, with Leao mentioned as a serious option.
Man Utd given Rafael Leao warnings
In recent days, Leao expressed his desire to leave Milan, and had also revealed himself as a Man Utd follower from Cristiano Ronaldo’s glorious days at the club.
The Portuguese international would love to play in the Premier League, and he feels it is past time for him to leave the Rossoneri after seven years at the club.
The 26-year-old has been Milan’s ultimate star in recent seasons. When the Diavolo won their last Scudetto title in 2021/22, he was named the MVP of the Serie A season.
However, the attacker’s performances regressed this season. Leao placed the blame on his groin issues, as well as Massimiliano Allegri’s 3-5-2 system, which forced him to play as a centre-forward.
According to Italian journalist Paolo Di Paola, Leao acted as the ringleader of an anti-Allegri coalition in the dressing room. He believes these players’ attitude was one of the main reasons behind Milan’s late-season collapse, as they ended up tumbling from second to fifth in the table, and missing out on a Champions League spot.
“I believe there’s a group within Milan, led by Leao, that hasn’t helped the coach much,” said De Paola in his interview with TuttoMercatoWeb.
“Pulisic, Loftus-Cheek, Fofana, and Tomori, who also raised eyebrows in the last match. Allegri’s excellent management of the players hasn’t been seen; he was betrayed in the very last match to qualify for the Champions League.”
| Leao’s Stats at Milan | Appearances | Goals | Assists |
| 19/20 | 33 | 6 | 2 |
| 20/21 | 40 | 7 | 6 |
| 21/22 | 42 | 14 | 12 |
| 22/23 | 48 | 16 | 15 |
| 23/24 | 47 | 15 | 14 |
| 24/25 | 50 | 12 | 13 |
| 25/26 | 31 | 10 | 3 |
| Total | 291 | 80 | 65 |
Moreover, Sky Sport presenter Fabio Caressa argues that the Portuguese international didn’t leave it all out on the pitch as he claimed in his latest statement.
“I think when Leao said he gave Milan his all, the response would have been: ‘We haven’t noticed in the last three years,'” he noted via TMW.
Signing Leao could be a step back for Man United
Last summer, Man Utd got rid of the members of the so-called ‘bomb squad’, a group of players with immense technical capabilities, but questionable attitudes.
Antony and Alejandro Garnacho were sold, while Jadon Sancho was allowed to run out his contract while playing on loan at Aston Villa. Only Marcus Rashford remains on the club’s books, as Barcelona have opted against exercising their option to buy him for £26 million.
Luckily for United, they have been able to replace these players with dedicated professionals in Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo, and Benjamin Sesko, who have all settled in nicely at Carrington.
So while Leao’s £43 million asking price might be tempting considering his exceptional technical skills, his demeanour over the years has raised several red flags.
The Sporting Club youth product may have been impeded by the circumstances this season, but he also appeared a bit too casual on a few occasions, hence why the Milan supporters jeered him off several times.
At this stage, a divorce feels almost inevitable, but United must be careful, as they wouldn’t want to disrupt the newly-found peace under Michael Carrick by rekindling their passion for primadonnas.
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