Ruud van Nistelrooy has told Man United why they need to sign £70m-rated Euro 2024 star this summer

Ruud van Nistelrooy has told Man United why they need to sign £70m-rated Euro 2024 star this summer

The number of players being connected to Manchester United is growing as the new Premier League season approaches, with just over three weeks to go.

Leny Yoro, a highly-regarded center-back from Lille, became United’s second summer acquisition last week.

The Frenchman made an impression on his debut on Saturday against Rangers after the Reds defeated Real Madrid in the transfer market.

The only other new player the team has added so far this window is Joshua Zirkzee, but United is working nonstop behind the scenes to bolster Erik ten Hag’s team. It is acknowledged that their current goal is to bring in a new midfield player.

Transfermarkt reports that Simons, who spent the previous season at RB Leipzig has made 41 of his 43 appearances last term as a wide player, starting just two games centrally.

on United are currently knee-deep in wingers, meaning it is hard to envision them wanting to sign him to operate out wide.

Nevertheless, reports overseas suggest the 21-year-old, who scored for the Netherlands in their European Championship semi-final defeat to England earlier this month, is at the centre of a transfer tug-of-war, with Bayern Munich and Barcelona also being credited with interest in his services.

Prior to last season’s stint at Leipzig, Simons spent the 2022/23 campaign on loan at PSV Eindhoven, where Ruud van Nistelrooy was the manager. The Dutchman recently joined United as one of Ten Hag’s new assistants.

Simons starred under Van Nistelrooy’s management, scoring 20 goals and creating 12 in 46 games in all competitions. Although his attacking output impressed the former PSV boss, it was his mentality that pleased Van Nistelrooy most.

Speaking to Voetbal International in September 2022, Van Nistelrooy said of Simons: “His mentality, his mindset, it’s unprecedented. It’s a boy of only 19 years old, but Xavi is already much further advanced than his age.

“But he really is a pure professional, a boy who is working towards a goal, who wants to get the most out of his qualities.”

He added: “He’s doing everything he can to get to the top, his top. And where that will be, that’s the beautiful challenge.

“That bit in him, wanting to do everything for that, I recognise that from myself as a player. I can only enjoy that.”