The international break is almost over and Manchester United enter the crunch part of the season. The club will now resume its chase for glory in three competitions- FA Cup (Semi against Brighton), Europa League (Quarters against Sevilla) and Premier League (Comfortably third).
However, the focus will then quickly move to the summer window and reinforcements. Celta Vigo’s highly-rated midfielder Gabri Veiga has been attracting attention from all of Europe after a breakthrough campaign this season and Manchester United are no different.
Erik ten Hag will be looking to get a forward-thinking midfielder who is also good at ball progression. Veiga fits the mould perfectly.
Spanish outlet AS has reported that the club is willing to trigger the Spanish prodigy’s release clause of €40m (£35.2m) to bring him to Old Trafford.
Here’s a look at Gabri Veiga and what he could bring to Manchester United
Who is Gabri Veiga?
Veiga came through the ranks at Celta Vigo, making appearances for their B team before being capped by the senior team in the 2020-21 season in a fixture against Valencia.
He made 6 appearances for the senior team in his debut season and followed it up with 7 a year later. However, this season has been his true breakout.
Playing as the No 10 or as an advanced central midfielder, Gabri has scored 9 goals and laid on 3 assists in 25 league games, good for a goal or assist every 169 minutes. His performances have been a key reason why Celta Vigo have steered away from relegation comfortably and sit mid-table, at 10th position.
The accolades have started coming in as the interest in Veiga has soared. He won La LIga’s player of the month award for February. He has been linked to every top club in Europe. Arsenal, Manchester City, Liverpool, and Newcastle have all been credited with an interest.
With a relatively low release clause, Veiga is definitely worth a punt off the back of this season’s performances.
Fit at Manchester United
Manchester United have been crying out for a ball-carrying midfielder. A long-running interest in Frenkie de Jong amounted to nothing. Christian Eriksen’s injury has forced Erik ten Hag to get creative, sometimes even using Bruno Fernandes as one of the two deeper midfielders in a 4-2-3-1.
Gabri would easily slot into the No 10 role in a 4-2-3-1, or as one of the advanced midfielders in a 4-3-3. Bruno Fernandes has been overworked this season and Scott McTominay’s future at the club is in doubt.
Therefore, the already thin midfield of United is set to be trimmed further. Gabri Veiga, would, therefore, see plenty of playing time next season if he was to arrive at Old Trafford. Playing next to the likes of Bruno Fernandes and Casemiro would be a great learning experience for the youngster who’s still only 20. Furthermore, United are already tracking further attacking reinforcements, which should make Gabri’s settling-in process smoother.
In Erik ten Hag, he’ll have a coach who knows how to nurture the talent of young players and isn’t afraid of giving them a chance, something that might be difficult for Gabri to get in a Manchester City squad.
It is a move that is shrewd from United’s point of view and developmentally sound for Gabri Veiga. A deal that makes sense for all parties is rare in today’s inflated market but Gabri has the potential to get this deal into that category.
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