As Scott McTominay thrives at Napoli, Manchester United are reportedly ready to move for Atletico Madrid’s “incredible” Marcos Llorente to solve their midfield crisis.
Manchester United are a club living with a major regret. The decision to sell Scott McTominay to Napoli for £25m last summer has “massively backfired,” with the Scotsman being crowned the Serie A MVP after a 13-goal debut season.
With McTominay continuing his world-class form in the Champions League, the INEOS-led hierarchy is desperate to find a similar profile. According to reports from Spain, the Red Devils have identified Atletico Madrid’s Marcos Llorente as the solution, preparing a £35m summer bid.
The “Carrick Effect” and Kobbie Mainoo
Since Michael Carrick took temporary charge at Old Trafford, the mood has shifted. An unbeaten five-game run has catapulted United back into the Champions League race, and no one has benefited more than Kobbie Mainoo.
After being “neglected” under Ruben Amorim, Mainoo has been revitalized by Carrick, operating in a box-to-box role that highlights his creativity. However, to truly unlock the 20-year-old’s potential in the final third, United need a partner with elite recovery stats and tactical versatility.
Why Llorente is the “New McTominay”
Marcos Llorente, dubbed “incredible” by talent scouts, possesses the same physical profile and goal-scoring instinct that made McTominay a fan favorite. With only 12 months left on his contract this June, Atletico may be forced to cash in on the 31-year-old.
Marcos Llorente: 2025/26 La Liga Stats (per 90):
- Pass Accuracy: 89%
- Tackles Made: 2.3
- Ball Recoveries: 5.1
- Dribble Success: 61%
- Goal Contributions: 3 Goals & Assists in 19 games.
The Perfect Partnership
Llorente’s ability to combine ball-playing elegance (89% passing) with defensive grit (5.1 recoveries) would provide the security Mainoo needs to push higher up the pitch.
While United are also monitoring Club Brugge starlet Aleksandar Stankovic, the experience of Llorente is seen as the vital ingredient to take the club to the next level. For £35m, securing a player who can pop up with key goals while anchoring the midfield would be an “excellent piece of business” for Sir Jim Ratcliffe and the INEOS team.
If Llorente can replicate his Madrid form at Old Trafford, the partnership of the Spaniard and Mainoo could finally end Manchester United’s long-standing midfield woes and heal the scars of McTominay’s departure.
Miguel Manjate is a football journalist and editor covering the Premier League, European competitions, and transfer news, with a strong focus on match analysis and data-driven reporting.
