There have been some legendary gamers to have performed for each Manchester United and Newcastle United, two giants of English soccer, through the years. Maybe probably the most well-known of all of them was striker Andy Cole, who lit up the Premier League for the Magpies earlier than shifting to Outdated Trafford and promptly successful the treble. He scored 121 goals in 275 appearances for the Crimson Devils.
One other treble-winner to have performed for each golf equipment is Nicky Butt. The Class of ‘92 member played 385 times for United, successful eight Premier League titles alongside the best way, earlier than switching to St James’ Park in 2005 the place he performed 171 instances for the membership.
One of many extra controversial gamers to have performed for each golf equipment is Michael Owen. Given his historical past with Liverpool, it appeared outlandish for him to ever name Outdated Trafford dwelling, however he switched the North East for the North West in 2009, the place he proceeded to play 52 times in red, scoring 17 instances.
Different notable names on the checklist had fleeting spells at one of many golf equipment, together with one other treble winner in Ronny Johnsen and French striker Louis Saha. Nonetheless, with the switch window open as soon as extra, there could possibly be one other participant set to affix United from the Magpies.
Man Utd goal Newcastle winger
The participant in query right here is Newcastle winger Anthony Gordon, who’s at present at Euro 2024 with England. The 23-year-old was spectacular in the course of the 2023/24 season and has now been linked with a transfer away from St James’ Park this summer time.
According to a report from news outlet CaughtOffside, Gordon is a participant who’s ‘wished’ by United, and the Crimson Devils would ‘do effectively to push’ for the participant in the course of the summer time switch window.
Nonetheless, Erik ten Hag’s facet aren’t the one membership that need to signal Gordon this summer time. West Londoners Chelsea, who almost signed Gordon in 2022, have an interest, however it’s United’s huge rivals Liverpool who’re at present ‘exhibiting the strongest curiosity’ within the 23-year-old. That stated, Gordon isn’t the one participant on Liverpool’s checklist, which may open the door for United and Chelsea.
It is advised that the Toon star would value between £70m and £75m, a good quantity given the participant’s high quality and the very fact he has two years left on his deal. It might additionally see Newcastle make a wholesome revenue, given they spent £40m upfront on the winger.
Why Gordon can be an excellent signing
Gordon was one in every of Newcastle’s finest gamers final season, scoring 11 goals and registering ten assists in 35 Premier League games.
His 21 mixed targets and assists have been the second-best amongst his teammates, bettered solely by Alexander Isak who registered 23 aim involvements, as per Sofascore. Football analyst Umir called the winger “excessive degree” on X, and it’s simple to see why, given his goalscoring numbers.
Euro 2024 has been a irritating time for Gordon. He has barely had the chance to play any soccer to this point, registering only one minute of regular time, within the third group stage recreation towards Slovenia which England drew 0-0.
When it comes to his profile, Gordon is a fast, direct winger who excels when working in behind, and in one-vs-one conditions. It is hardly a shock that author Henry Winter suggested that he “scares defenders.”
These aforementioned qualities are similar to United’s key man on the wing, Marcus Rashford, who had a tricky season in 2023/24. The Englishman scored just eight goals and registered five assists from 43 video games, which adopted a season of 30 targets and ten assists in 56 video games, a marketing campaign which confirmed his high quality.
Ought to United convey Gordon to the membership, he may show to be the proper participant to offer Rashford with competitors on the left wing. Final season, United struggled for depth on the market, given Alejandro Garnacho discovered a house on the fitting wing. With Rashford’s kind patchy at instances, having Gordon at his disposal could possibly be an important choice for Ten Hag.
The 23-year-old will surely convey one thing just like Rashford to the United squad. They’re each exemplary ball-carriers, particularly from extensive areas, driving inside in direction of the penalty field and working at defenders, earlier than seeking to get a shot off or discover a cross.
Final season, as per Fbref, Gordon averaged 2.27 carries into the ultimate third per 90 minutes, in comparison with Rashford’s 2.02. Nonetheless, the United quantity 10 averaged much more carries into the penalty field, with 2.54 in comparison with Gordon’s 1.84 per 90.
Gordon vs. Rashford carrying numbers |
||
---|---|---|
Stat (per 90) |
Gordon |
Rashford |
Progressive carries |
4.30 |
3.77 |
Carries into closing third |
2.27 |
2.02 |
Carries into penalty field |
2.54 |
1.84 |
Take-ons tried |
4.14 |
4.33 |
Take-ons accomplished |
1.68 |
1.90 |
Stats from FBref |
Final season, Gordon’s inventive numbers have been barely increased than Rashford’s, who averaged 0.91 key passes per recreation, in comparison with the Newcastle winger’s 1.78 key passes. Gordon additionally averages extra passes into the ultimate third with 1.68 per 90, and passes into the penalty field with 1.21, in comparison with Rashford’s 1.35 closing third passes and 1.19 penalty field passes.
Each wingers anticipated targets tally are fairly neck and neck, too. The 23-year-old Newcastle winger averages 0.32xG per 90, with the United academy graduate barely much less, averaging 0.29xG per 90 minutes.
Ought to the Crimson Devils convey Gordon to the membership, he could possibly be a wonderful different to Rashford. It offers their quantity 10 glorious competitors, with the Magpies star being the most effective wingers within the Premier League final season. It additionally means you’ve got a top-quality substitute ought to Rashford want day out of the facet or picks up an damage.
If Ten Hag sees Garnacho’s long-term future on the fitting wing, then signing Gordon actually is sensible. Regardless of the very fact he’ll value a good amount of cash, upwards of £75m, it will be a sensible funding for United to make.
Associated
Man Utd in talks to sign 51m “monster” who’d star with De Ligt
Manchester United are beginning to make strikes in the summertime switch window.