Are the stars aligning for Manchester United and this £15m ace?

The links between Manchester United and Spanish starlet Thiago Alcantara seem to be growing stronger. This should give United fans plenty of cause for celebration.

The 22-year-old Barca boy caught the eye this summer in the U21 Championships, but has been been around for a while, bidding his time.

In fact, he’s been with Barcelona for five years now, splitting his time between the B-Team and the first team. It wasn’t until 2010-11, however, that he began to build his reputation. That was the season he made 17 appearances for the first XI and scored 3 goals in the process.

Since then he’s gone from strength-to-strength, making 45 appearances the following season and 36 last year. That’s not bad for a 22-year-old in a team that’s packed full of talent.

It’s worth noting that many of these appearances were as a substitute. With there unlikely to be more opportunities next season, the player may well feel that the time’s right to move on. What else does he have to learn at the Nou Camp? Surely at this stage in his career, he’d be better suited with a regular starting role at a top club?

A top club like Manchester United. There’s no telling just how good Alcantara could get if he’s given time to blossom. The youngster has flair in abundance, fantastic ability with the ball at his feet and a willingness to take his man on. If he adds goals to his game, he’ll be a real threat (it’s worth noting here that he recently scored a hat-trick for the U21s).

The Mirror recently claimed that United’s move for ‘Barcelona babe’ Alcantara (what?!) had recieved a ‘double-boost’. They note that the player’s dad had suggested United would be a better fit for the player than Manchester City. They also claim that Barcelona are looking to send Rafinha (Alcantara’s brother – this is a family affair) out on loan. United could end up with both players as part of a package deal.

If this were to happen and David Moyes got his man for the £15m figure that has previously been quoted (Source: The Daily Star), he’d be getting a real bargain. After all, Alcantara could go on to become a world-class star.

Here’s hoping that the stars align with this proposed transfer.

What’s your take? Would you like to see Alcantara working his magic at Old Trafford? 

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