#Euro2024: 10 Players Man Utd Should Scout 10 Players

• With Man Utd mostly looking for a striker, midfielder, and center-back this summer
• Euro 2024 will act as a massive shopping window for teams everywhere.
• Just a few of the possibilities are Joao Neves, Niclas Fullkrug, and Benjamin Sesko.

Manchester United are used to bringing in new players after a large international competition, and the Euro 2024 this summer will be the latest chance to see how possible acquisitions perform on the biggest platform.

Winger Karel Poborsky of the Czech Republic joined United almost 30 years ago following his remarkable Euro ’96 performance, while Jordi Cruyff followed after making an impression for the Netherlands. After the 1998 World Cup, two years later, Sir Alex Ferguson managed to secure long-term target Jaap Stam.

Fabien Barthez was actually signed not long before Euro 2000 started, although his World Cup achievements for France two years prior had undoubtedly helped to increase his notoriety.

Rio Ferdinand, who had excelled for England at the World Cup in 2002, appeared to confirm United’s view of his ability. Although it took almost another year to reach an agreement with Bayern Munich over the transfer fee, Owen Hargreaves was then chased in 2006 after being crowned England’s finest player at that year’s World Cup.

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More recently, Daley Blind had a breakthrough year with the Netherlands, helping them place third at the 2014 World Cup. He then quickly joined Louis van Gaal at Manchester. The Old Trafford team had been aware of Marcos Rojo of Argentina through the same competition.

Then, a few months prior to United’s loan acquisition of Sofyan Amrabat, the midfielder had established himself at the 2022 World Cup with Morocco.

Although chances to reinforce other areas could also present themselves, United’s top recruitment targets this summer are in the centre of defence, the centre of midfield, and up front.

Goncalo Inacio

• Country: Portugal
• Club: Sporting CP
• Position: Centre-back

At just 22 years old, Goncalo Inacio has already played nearly 200 games for both his club and his country, winning two league crowns and two league cups in the process. Talk has been around a £51 million release clause in his contract, which Sporting CP don’t seem willing to compromise on.

Antonio Silva of Benfica, a just 20 years old, is another Liga Portugal center-back being watched by some of the best teams in Europe and who looks like he’s going places. Given that Ruben Dias is among the first names on the Portugal teamsheet, Inacio and Silva will most likely not start together and only one of them will probably play regularly during the competition.

Roberto Martinez doesn’t think there has been much to divide them.

Sutalo Josip

• Country: Croatia
• Club: Ajax
• Position: Centre-back

As Croatia keeps bringing in fresh talent, Josip Sutalo has cemented his place at the core of the defence. The 24-year-old has only played in one World Cup game—the third place playoff, which usually gives few or no squad players the opportunity to participate—but when healthy, he has been a regular.

Before moving outside to Ajax last summer, Sutalo had great success in Croatian football with local giants Dinamo Zagreb, where his value grew over time. He has never played for Erik ten Hag, yet they do have that in common.

Miklos Kerkez

• Country: Hungary
• Club: Bournemouth
• Position: Left-back

For United, left-back has been a problem position over the last 12 months, with Luke Shaw missing significant portions of 2023–24 and Tyrell Malacia out for the entire year. Adding further competition with a new left-back is a wise long-term decision for the club, which cannot really afford another season in which different players are crammed in as backup.

After his remarkable rise with Bournemouth, links with Milos Kerkez are already well-established. However, it is equally crucial to evaluate the 20-year-old in a setting outside of the Premier League, particularly when Europa League and Champions League football is the benchmark.

Joao Neves

• Country: Portugal
• Club: Benfica
• Position: Centre midfield

Generally speaking, United have done rather well with Portuguese players, and 19-year-old Benfica midfielder Joao Neves is considered the nation’s next great star. He may be about to make his international debut after playing 75 times for his club.

Bruno Fernandes also thinks highly of the youngster.

He’s a great kid and a great player, and he acts really professionally. The skipper declared back in November that “he will have a bright future wherever he goes.” Really, I would prefer him at my side. Considering his quality and promising future. Depends on him. I mostly want the best for him.

George Sudakov

• Country: Ukraine
• Club: Shakhtar Donetsk
• Position: Centre midfield

The next major departure from Shakhtar Donetsk is predicted to be midfielder Georgiy Sudakov, after Mykhailo Mudryk moves to Chelsea in 2023. The two are great friends, but the 21-year-old has attention from a lot of clubs.

Since the beginning of last year, Sudakov—whose Shakhtar contract was extended as recently as February until 2028—has essentially been unbeatable for Ukraine. Despite his youth, he has shown himself to be a big game player by helping both goals that guaranteed his nation’s spot at Euro 2024.

Sesko Benjamin

• Country: Slovenia
• Club: RB Leipzig
• Position: Striker

Benjamin Sesko may have a solid immediate future at RB Leipzig after signing a new contract, but there was an unofficial agreement in place to enable him to go in the summer of 2025.

The 21-year-old striker has been watched by Arsenal and Chelsea as well. He scored 14 goals in the Bundesliga last season. He filled the role left by Erling Haaland at Red Bull Salzburg, and his height, pace, aerial danger, and finishing prowess have even led to comparisons to the Norwegian.

Beier, Maximilian

• Country: Gemany
• Club: Hoffenheim
• Position: Striker

In 2023–2024 only four players scored more Bundesliga goals than Maximilian Beier; the 21-year-old scored 16 goals for a Hoffenheim team that placed a respectable seventh; the other players were all at top four teams.

Though still very young, Beier has a lot of promise and general excitement. Though he was uncapped when he was selected for Germany’s final team, he came within an inch of scoring on his debut in a friendly against Ukraine when a shot went inside the post.

This youngster might turn out to be the hosts’ covert weapon.

Joshua Zirkzee

• Country: Netherlands
• Club: Bologna
• Position: Striker

idn’t think he was going to Euro 2024 until Teun Koopmeiners had to pull out of the Netherlands squad through injury. He is uncapped at this level, but the 23-year-old who previously came through the youth levels at Bayern Munich now has an unbelievable opportunity.

The 2023/24 season saw Zirkzee score 11 times in Serie A for Bologna, who placed fifth in the final standings to qualify for the Champions League for the first time since 60 years and Europe in general for the first time in 24.

Ante Budimir

• Country: Croatia
• Club: Osasuna
• Position: Striker

Although United continue to be associated with young developing strikers, it has also been speculated the club could really prefer an older and more experienced player to complement and support Rasmus Hojlund rather than immediately compete with him for minutes.

At 32, Ante Budimir is certinaly not a long-term option but might provide significant squad depth for two or three years. The Croatian is a late bloomer coming off the back of the best season of his career after scoring 17 goals in La Liga for mid-table Osasuna. Even before that, the target man has been consistent, if not exceptionally prolific, in Spain since 2019.

Niclas Fullkrug

• Country: Germany
• Club: Borussia Dortmund
• Position: Striker

Plenty witnessed Niclas Fullkrug thrive for Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League this past season. The 31-year-old, a potentially fantastic foil for the aforementioned Hojlund, is constantly on the front foot, tries to win every ball and is a dangerous finisher given the chance.

Fullkrug is another late bloomer, playing in Germany’s second tier as recently as 2021/22 and not making his international debut until days before the past World Cup. Although generally perceived as an impact substitute at this level, which is likely what United would desire in terms of fleshing their team, his record since stands at almost a goal per game.