Why Hirving Lozano to Manchester United would be a smart move
According to a report from Italian outlet Corriere dello Sport, via ESPN Mexico (h/t Express), Manchester United are interested in signing Hirving Lozano from Serie A side Napoli this summer.
Lozano came through the youth ranks at Mexican club Pachuca and made close to 140 appearances at the club before joining PSV Eindhoven in 2017. In two seasons with PSV, Lozano scored 40 goals and created 23 more in 79 matches.
The Mexican international joined Napoli last summer but hasn’t been able to make a strong impression in Italy so far. Having struggled for game time under new manager Gennaro Gattuso, Lozano has managed just three goals and two assists in all competitions.
Manchester United’s 2019/20 season so far…
Meanwhile, Manchester United have resurrected a season that looked to be headed nowhere at one point. The addition of Bruno Fernandes has acted as a catalyst for the Red Devils as they went on an eleven-game unbeaten run in all competitions prior to the season getting suspended.
Manchester United are currently fifth in the Premier League table and in contention in the Europa League as well as the FA Cup. Despite their return to form of late, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer should strengthen the squad in the summer transfer window if the club are to close down the gap to rivals Liverpool and Manchester City.
Manchester United’s problems on the right flank are well-known. The Red Devils have lacked a quality presence on the right wing for a number of years now. Daniel James arrived last summer but the Welshman has looked much more effective on the left, which has left Solskjaer to use the likes of Juan Mata and Jesse Lingard on the right.
Moreover, apart from James and academy prospect Tahith Chong, the 20-time English champions lack natural wingers in the squad. This is a problem that needs to be addressed at the earliest.
While Borussia Dortmund’s Jadon Sancho has been heavily linked with a move to Old Trafford, should United fail in the pursuit of the Englishman, Lozano would represent a solid alternative for the Red Devils.
Lozano has accrued plenty of experience in Europe and barring this season in Italy, he has been very impressive. In his first season with PSV, the 24-year-old helped the club win the Eredivisie, scoring 17 goals. He matched this tally during the 2018/19 season as well.
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The 24-year-old is also a regular for the Mexico national team and has bagged 10 goals in 39 caps for El Tri. Signing him would add more depth to the wide areas for Manchester United. It would also increase the overall quality of the squad.
Verdict
Lozano hasn’t been at his best at Napoli this season. But he has the capability of being a good signing for Manchester United should he rediscover his form from PSV days.
The 24-year-old’s potential arrival would increase the quality of the squad. This should help the Red Devils bridge the gap between themselves and arch-rivals, Liverpool and Manchester City.
