Manchester United will have to look elsewhere for a potential replacement for Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo after reports suggest a possible move for Bayern Munich’s Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting is now off the table.
According to Sky Germany’s Florian Plettenberg, Erik ten Hag’s Red Devils have what is a confirmed serious interest in the 33-year-old Cameroon international and were considering a move for the Bayern forward during the winter transfer window due to the expected departure of Ronaldo from Old Trafford during the same period.
News Choupo-Moting: #MUFC is seriously interested in a transfer in winter, they have inquired about him. He’s a candidate to replace #Ronaldo. Manchester bosses expect him to leave in winter. But: Choupo will stay! Talks about a new contract after the World Cup. @SkySportDE 🇨🇲
— Florian Plettenberg (@Plettigoal) November 7, 2022
Any potential advance for Choupo-Moting looks increasingly unlikely, however, with the former Paris Saint-Germain and Stoke City striker in line for a contract extension at the Allianz Arena as talks are said to be on the cards after the conclusion of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Choupo-Moting will be remembered in England during a very underwhelming spell with Stoke in just a single season in the 2016-17 Premier League campaign that saw him hit just five goals in thirty league appearances before a shock move to the French capital.
He first came to prominence in Germany, the nation of his birth, after a break-out season in 2011-12 at 1. FSV Mainz 05 when he hit 10 goals during that Bundesliga campaign; a figure he would hit again two seasons later in 2013-14.
The former Germany youth international would never hit that level of return since and struggled at FC Schalke 04 before his twelve months at Stoke, which led to another disappointing period in Paris.
His tactical versatility and experience could certainly be a reason that United was as keen as they reportedly have been, especially considering how difficult it could be moving for a big name during a World Cup winter.
Now, having to look elsewhere, Ten Hag has another key question to answer on the tactics board irrespective of if the club will be able to secure reinforcements in the number 9 role during the January window.
