Manchester United were right to snub prolific Premier League goal scorer
Manchester United didn’t need to add Riyad Mahrez
It’s not often that Manchester United elects to pass up the chance to sign a prolific Premier League goal scorer. That’s just what happened on Deadline Day though. Jose Mourinho made the right decision to pass on adding Leicester City star Riyad Mahrez.
Reports from England claim that Mahrez left the Algerian National team on Deadline Day to try to force a move to United through. Unfortunately for the talented wide man, no offer from United ever popped up. As such, Mahrez will remain with the Foxes until at least January.
Some might question why United would turn down the opportunity to sign a player that’s proven he can lift his squad to a Premier League title. The reason is shockingly simple. Mahrez isn’t good enough to serve as a clear upgrade on Mourinho’s current attacking options.
Mourinho already has a selection dilemma every week pertaining to his wide options. Juan Mata and Marcus Rashford have played well as his starters, but Anthony Martial has made his case to join the starting XI as well. That doesn’t even begin to consider how Jesse Lingard might fit into the equation. Adding Mahrez would have only added to United’s overcrowding on the outside.
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Perhaps if Mahrez was a complete player I’d view things differently. As it stands, he’s much better on the offensive end than he’s ever considered being on the defensive end of the pitch. That isn’t a philosophy that would go over well with Mourinho. If The Special One was going to add a wide man this summer, it was going to be someone who could really perform a job on both ends of the pitch. That’s why Ivan Perisic would have been a smart signing, and Riyad Mahrez would have been a wasteful one.
It’s not as if the Algerian would have been a cheap purchase either. He’s made his desire to leave Leicester City clear, but that doesn’t mean the Foxes are obligated to grant his wishes. Leicester were still looking for a transfer fee of more than £40 million for their unhappy winger.
Perhaps more importantly, Mahrez isn’t the sort of player that would be happy with a role off the substitute’s bench. He’s got the talent, and ego, to be a key member of any Premier League starting XI. It’s not as if United could have purchased him and used him for Cup competitions and the like.
Next: United snubbed by Real Madrid star
In the end, Manchester United signing Riyad Mahrez is one of those moves that works great on Football Manager, but would have been a disaster in reality. Credit Jose Mourinho and company for recognizing the reality of the sensational move and turning it down.