Gary Neville has picked out Leicester City midfielder James Maddison to be of the young stars of the season.
Maddison had an excellent breakthrough campaign in the Premier League last term, scoring 7 times and contributing 7 assists.
The 22-year-old again stood out in Leicester’s draw away to Frank Lampard’s Chelsea on Sunday, and Neville predicts a big future for the attacking midfielder.
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“He is a genuine creative player,” said Neville on MNF as quoted by Manchester Evening News.
“I think he is outstanding. I think he will be playing for England a lot of times. He will be in the European Championship squad. I think he’s fantastic.”
Many Manchester United fans called for Maddison to join the Reds after his performance on the weekend, and MEN understands he has been of interest to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
Maddison would have been a perfect addition for Solskjaer’s side this summer, but a creative midfielder was not signed despite limited options in the centre of the park.
United are missing a player of real quality to be the creative spark bridging the gap between Pogba and Mctominay in midfield and Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford in attack.
Despite Jesse Lingard being a critical part of Solskjaer’s pressing game in defence, he lacks quality at key times in the final third and should not be relied upon to play in behind the forwards.
With Juan Mata also ageing, Maddison should be targeted next summer and fits United’s recruitment mould of young, British talent.
Maddison is one of the best players outside of the ‘top six’, so would be an exciting signing if the Reds could pull it off, albeit at a very high price.
But academy graduate Angel Gomes should also be given the opportunity to deliver for the first-team in an attacking midfield role, after some impressive showings in pre-season.
