Owen Hargreaves on why Manchester United could come for Leeds United's Raphinha

Former England international Owen Hargreaves has claimed that Manchester United could look to sign Leeds United winger Raphinha this summer as a cheaper alternative to Borussia Dortmund’s Jadon Sancho.
Raphinha of Leeds United. (Photo by Andy Rain - Pool/Getty Images)Raphinha of Leeds United. (Photo by Andy Rain - Pool/Getty Images)
Raphinha of Leeds United. (Photo by Andy Rain - Pool/Getty Images)

The Reds are expected to be busy in the transfer market in the coming months as they look to bridge the gap on Manchester City ahead of a potential title challenge next term.

Elland Road standout Raphinha – who only arrived in the Premier League last year after completing a summer move from Rennes – has already been touted as a possible target for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men after scoring six goals and assisting six more in a stellar debut season in England.

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And ex-Old Trafford star Hargreaves believes he would offer the Reds quality out wide, as well as providing a more affordable option than long-term United target Jadon Sancho.

Speaking on BT Sport’s coverage of Man United’s Europa League win over Granada on Thursday evening, he said: “I don’t think it’s realistic for Manchester United to win the Premier League next season.

“They have to find a way to bridge that gap. You bridge that gap by getting another centre-back, getting a central midfielder, and getting a right winger.

"A lot of people have played out on that right hand side and haven’t real found it.

"Jadon Sancho would be amazing.

"You think about Raphinha at Leeds and what he could do in this United team – there’s obviously levels, and you can’t always spend £100 million on a player.”