With what may represent a change of ambitions for United given they are not in the Champions League this season it seems that they are giving serious consideration to players of quality that are just below the radar like Eric Bailly and Henrikh Mkhitaryan.
The new Ivorian is young, quick but relatively untested at senior level but in their latest transfer business they are going for someone with a bit of history having played at Shakhtar Donetsk before joining Borussia Dortmund in 2013 for £23.6million.
The 27-year-old attacking midfielder has a good goal record and is capable of playing as a second striker, exploiting space and linking with team-mates. He is known for his solid technique and all-round ability with the ball and is more than capable of taking on resilient defences with his creativity and trickery.
United seem quite taken by the player having made an improved second bid for the player of £28million which could prove great value even though it is significantly improved from their £19million carrot.
There seems to be some confidence according to reports in the Mirror that this bid will be accepted from the Bundesliga runners-up. United will be targeting Champions League qualification as a must this season and they clearly believe Mkhitaryan could provide the extra creativity and goals to improve on their 5th place last term.
The players agent Mino Raiola has also been active according to the Metro, oiling the cogs for a move with suggestions that Old Trafford represents a 'dream' for his client and that there was a verbal agreement to allow the player to leave if a lucrative deal was made, a claim that Dortmund deny.
Source: DSG
