According to reports, Manchester United manager, Louis van Gaal has once again been beaten to a target player’s signature; this time, not by a local rival, but a continental specie. According to various reports, Spanish side, Atletico Madrid, have snapped up long-time United target, 20 year-old Ghana and Vitoria de Guimaraes starlet, Bernard Mensah, on a 6-year deal.
United manager Louis van Gaal had according to reports, had talks with his parent club and was even close to agreeing a move, before last-minute concerns grounded proceedings. It is believed that the Dutch coach sought to recruit the player to beef up competition for places in his star-studded midfield. However, given the fact that the 20 year-old has relatively very little Champions league experience, it is uncertain how he would fare if eventually grafted immediately into the United squad.
Thus, van Gaal may not suffer so much heartbreak, given the fact that he already has the likes of Memphis Depay, Morgan Schneiderlin and Bastian Schweinsteiger at his disposal- who are all already more experienced than Mensah.
Having excelled in his midfield role at Vitoria over the course of last season, the young player earned a call-up to the Ghanaian national side. Widely touted as the future of Ghanain football, the player indeed attracted interest from Benfica, Arsenal and Manchester United, before agreeing a move to Athletico. He would now proceed on loan to Getafe, as he looks to build match fitness.