Alvaro Morata to sign for Manchester United as our expert panel analyse his imminent move to Old Trafford

Sport360 staff 21:18 10/06/2017
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  • Real Madrid’s Alvaro Morata is one of the most sought after strikers in Europe but reports in recent days suggest that he could be off the market fairly early this summer.

    All signs point to a move to Manchester United for the 24-year-old with the club releasing Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

    After Antoine Griezmann decided to stay at Atletico Madrid once their transfer ban was upheld, Morata emerged as United’s top priority.

    Here, our expert football writers have their say on the imminent transfer.

    HOW WILL HE FIT IN AT UNITED?

    BRENDON NETTO

    With United releasing Zlatan Ibrahimovic back into the wild, that’s an easy question to answer.

    Morata will slot into that No9 role but will no doubt be very different to the Swede. While the 35-year-old was brilliant in a lot of aspects, Morata is excellent (at worst) in more departments.

    Apart from his physicality and hold up play, the Spaniard brings mobility to the role and a goal-poaching attitude. More importantly for Jose Mourinho, he’s an upgrade in work-rate, meaning the Portuguese can now have his entire forward line defending from the front.

    MATT MONAGHAN

    The injury-enforced exit of Ibrahimovic has opened up slot at the head of United’s attack, which Morata will fill nicely.

    His size makes him perfect for the traditional 4-2-3-1 formation favoured by Mourinho last term. The Portuguese is also firmly aware of Morata’s movement and versatility, starting him out wide during his first Clasico against Barcelona in 2013.

    This could see him utilised in a 4-3-3 at times, alternating with red-hot England prospect Marcus Rashford or even providing support to Torino centre forward Andrea Belotti if he is also acquired.

    MATT JONES

    This is an easy one to answer. With Ibrahimovic released and United’s all-time top goalscorer Wayne Rooney surely set to follow him out of Old Trafford this summer, there is a gaping gap to fill in the club’s star striker role.

    In years to come, United fans will hope local lad Marcus Rashford will grow into this central role, but for now he is gaining valuable experience out wide, while Mourinho will hope Anthony Martial can shake off second-season syndrome and contribute from the other flank.

    IS HE WORTH THE TRANSFER FEE?

    MATT MONAGHAN

    Morata was linked with a £40 million move to Chelsea last summer and with the way prices have escalated this summer, a reported outlay of £64 million does not seem too precipitous.

    This price is made more acceptable when you consider he is only 24 and is coming off a season in which he averaged a goal scored in every 89 minutes played for Madrid in La Liga. Only Barca icon Lionel Messi boasted a better ratio.

    Big-club experience also comes at a price, with Morata being schooled at Madrid and Juventus.

    MATT JONES

    In a word, no. But are many players worth the astronomical fees paid for them these days? This is not to say, however, that it is a bad bit of business by United.

    They are in need of some tried and tested quality up top and, at just 24, Morata has plenty of years in front of him to justify the price tag.

    Also, when you compare him to the £100 million Everton want for Romelu Lukaku and the £84 million release clause they’d likely have to meet for Belotti, Morata makes by far more sense.

    BRENDON NETTO

    If Madrid do sell him for £64 million, it would be more than double the fee they paid to buy him back from Juventus just a year ago.

    After a season spent mostly as a substitute, it seems absurd to pay that amount for a back-up striker. However, it is the silly season and in relation to the asking prices floating around in the market today, it almost seems reasonable.

    In Morata United would be acquiring a potentially world class striker with plenty of years ahead of him. He also comes with a wealth of experience for his age. Time will tell, but I think we’ll be looking at this fee and calling it a bargain in a few months time.

    IS HE THE RIGHT CHOICE?

    MATT JONES

    While the veteran Swede continued to defy the doubters and the body clock with an incredible goals haul last season, Morata is a badly required injection of youth and energy that can revitalise United’s attack.

    He shares similarities with Ibrahimovic in that he’s a traditional No9, is good in the air and can hold the ball up. But he’s also pacey, hard-working and can bring others into play, while he also has a knack of being in the right place at the right time.

    BRENDON NETTO

    Once the move for Antoine Griezmann fell through, Morata always seemed like the ideal option for United.

    Belotti is still being linked as well and while some suspect that both will end up at Old Trafford, I fear that could be a mistake.

    While the Italian has impressed this season and would be a sound alternative, he’s yet to prove himself on a regular basis.

    Lukaku on the other hand is proven in the Premier League but tends to score in patches and seems to go missing against bigger teams. Also, Everton’s £100 million valuation of the Belgian is well over the top.

    MATT MONAGHAN

    With Lukaku seemingly Chelsea bound and Belotti  priced at a ridiculous £84 million, Morata’s acquisition seems adroit.

    Yet, it feels strange that Mourinho has decided not to challenge Paris Saint-Germain for the signature of Borussia Dortmund’s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

    His lightning pace would have added a new dimension to the Mancunian’s predictable attack.

    VERDICT

    BRENDON NETTO

    Morata adds pace and goals to United’s attack but his all-round style of play opens up so many more facets for the team.

    What is really rare though is that he fulfills the criteria for a United striker while also being a very Mourinho-like player. I expect him to flourish as the first choice No9.

    MATT MONAGHAN

    When you survey this inflated market, the decision to go for Morata appears the smartest option.

    He is still young, Mourinho has managed him before, his statistics experienced a rapid improvement last term and he needs a great campaign to nail the No9 shirt for Spain at World Cup 2018.

    United must now hope he proves to be more Fernando Torres than Fernando Morientes in the Premier League.

    MATT JONES

    United’s first choice would have been Griezmann but Morata is clearly the next best option.

    Lukaku is not consistent enough while Belotti’s had one fine season. Morata possesses all the traits of a modern-day striker.

    He shone when emerging from the shadows of Real’s Galacticos at Juventus and even though he returned largely to the darkness last season, 20 goals from 43 games for a back-up striker is pretty phenomenal.

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