Jorge Mendes isn’t the most important agent for Manchester United
Jorge Mendes has been replaced by Mino Raiola as the most important agent to Manchester United this summer
For months we’ve all been led to believe that Manchester United have been somehow under the influence of super agent Jorge Mendes in terms of their managerial and player moves. The truth is, Mendes isn’t even the most important agent to the higher-ups at Old Trafford these days.
The most important player agent to Manchester United’s future is actually Mino Raiola. He may not have the notoriety that Mendes, enjoys, but he has the players that new United boss Jose Mourinho craves.
Raiola just so happens to represent three critical targets for the Red Devils. He is the chief agent for Paul Pogba, Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Zlatan Ibrahimovic. The latter two players have been linked strongly as near-locks to sign with Mourinho, while chatter connecting Pogba with the club has increased drastically over the last week.
More from Playing for 90
- Alexia Putellas reaches 400 games with Barcelona
- Everything you need to know ahead of the 250th ‘Super Clásico’
- Barcelona put five past Real Betis
- Manchester City suffer but come away with win over West Ham
- Baffling Liga MX ruling strips Puebla of a hard-earned victory
Acquiring Ibrahimovic and Mkhitaryan would drastically improve what was a pretty lifeless United attack last season. Ibrahimovic can slot in immediately as Mourinho’s top centre-forward and Mkhitaryan can start either on the wing or as a number 10. In particular, both men have the proper experience to bridge the gap from United’s starlets and their grisly veterans.
Both men could impact the club greatly, but their arrival would pale in comparison with a Pogba return to Old Trafford. Bringing the Frenchman back to the Premier League would be an absolute dream for Ed Woodward. He could finally land the big name transfer target that has eluded him for years.
Pogba also would provide the club with help on both the offensive and defensive sides of the pitch. He would immediately turn the club’s biggest weakness, a lack of athletic midfielders, into a clear strength. Pogba might even be dynamic enough to allow United to continue to play someone like Bastian Schweinsteiger or Michael Carrick big minutes as his partner. That may not be the best choice for Mourinho, but it would provide him with significantly more options.
While several of Raiola’s clients seem poised to move to Old Trafford, Mendes doesn’t seem prepared to deliver any big-time talent for United. You’ll recall that Mendes’ best starlet, Renato Sanches, has already chosen to spurn Manchester United to sign for Bayern Munich. At this point, it’s unclear whether or not any of Mendes’ high-end clients will move to Mourinho’s club this summer.
Related Story: United may break transfer record for Pogba
The spectre of Jorge Mendes has loomed over Old Trafford for months, but his impact has been easily overshadowed by Mino Raiola. The agent that holds the key to Paul Pogba is clearly the most important for United.