Manchester United send scouts to watch Premier League star in action

While Manchester United’s hopes of winning the Premier League title this season may have faded, The Red Devils remain in contention to win a treble of cup competitions.

Having already lifted the Carabao Cup with victory over Newcastle United at Wembley last month, United now find themselves in the FA Cup semi-finals and also in the last eight of the Europa League.

Spanish side Sevilla await United in the Europa League quarter-finals, while Brighton and Hove Albion stand between Erik ten Hag’s side and a place in the FA Cup final.

When the two sides meet at Wembley for the semi-final, it will give the Dutchman a chance to watch one of his targets in action.

According to The Sun, The Red Devils have sent scouts to watch Brighton star Kaoru Mitoma in recent weeks.

The 25-year-old has been in sensational form since the turn of the year, scoring seven goals and providing five assists across all competitions since New Year’s Eve.

Mitoma has been a sensation on the south coast this season

Mitoma joined The Seagulls from Japanese side Kawasaki Frontale back in 2021 for a fee of just £2.7 million, but he spent the 2021/22 campaign on loan at Belgian side Union Saint-Gilloise.

During his time in Belgium, the attacker scored five goals and provided four assists in 21 league matches.

He returned to England last summer, and made his Brighton debut during a 3-0 win over Forest Green Rovers in the League Cup in August.

The report claims that, while it isn’t unusual for clubs such as Manchester United to have scouts in attendance at other matches, The Red Devils’ scouting department have been focussing on Mitoma in particular of late.

It is also claimed that United are preparing a clear-out this summer, with the likes of Anthony Martial and Anthony Elanga both likely to leave.

That would allow for the arrival of an attacking player and Mitoma, who plays primarily on the left, could be the prefect fit.