Announced – Not Man United or Liverpool – Joao Felix announces his next club to fans after World Cup performance
Joao Felix has already told Manchester United why he's not the answer to their attacking problem
Man United is once again linked with a move for Atletico Madrid star Joao Felix.
In the midst of new speculations linking him to a move to Manchester United, Atletico Madrid forward Joao Felix has already indicated what he feels to be his finest position.
The 22-year-old, who hopes to play for his native Portugal in the 2018 World Cup, is once again being linked with a move to Old Trafford. He was linked with a move to the club throughout the summer, and rumors from outside indicate that Atletico is ready to ‘welcome proposals’ for him before the January transfer window opens.
Felix, who joined Atletico from Portuguese rivals Benfica for an eye-watering cost of £113 million in July 2019, has struggled for form this season, netting only two goals in 16 appearances across all competitions. He has recently battled to establish himself as a starter in Diego Simeone’s favored lineup, frequently appearing as a replacement.
In reality, he has yet to reach his full potential for Atletico Madrid, having failed to score more than 10 goals in each of his first three full seasons in the Spanish capital. In 127 outings for the club, he has only scored 31 goals.
That may not come as a surprise to Felix and Simeone, given the former acknowledged earlier this year that he believes he is at his finest when playing as a typical No.10 rather than an out-and-out attacker. Some United supporters have recently argued that he could be the answer to the Reds’ goal-scoring woes.
“My best position is as a second forward,” Felix told The Athletic. “I’m playing like a No.10, with a guy ahead of me.”
Having said that, Felix may not be the best candidate to solve United’s goalkeeping problems. His goal tally reflects his frequent use as a second striker throughout his tenure at Atletico.
His most productive season as a senior came in his final season at Benfica, when he scored 20 goals and assisted on 11 others in 43 matches. He has struggled to match such figures in Spain.
United are looking for a solution to their goal-scoring woes, and manager Erik ten Hag stated after Thursday night’s 1-0 Europa League win over Real Sociedad, in which he ordered Harry Maguire to come off the bench and play as a striker, that the Reds “need choices.”
“We need options,” Ten Hag explained to BT Sport. “There are issues there.”
“Antony isn’t available, Anthony Martial isn’t available, Jadon Sancho isn’t available, but I’m really satisfied with that performance and I hope he [Alejandro Garnacho] can continue the process.”
United will prioritize the acquisition of a striker in the next phase of their squad rebuilding.
