Club chairman speaks out as Manchester United show interest in £35m Olise alternative

Casemiro replacements available for The red devilsMeanwhile, they include Amadou Onana, Morten Hjulmand and Joao Neves, to name just three.

There are plenty of left-backs and centre-forwards on Man United’s radar. There is a lot of value to be found in the market if you have the intelligence and desire to discover it.

And while Man United’s pursuit of Michael Olise – Ineos’ main target for the right-back spot – is under sustained threat from Chelsea, losing a man who proves to have obscene talent and a proven Premier League record is not necessarily a disaster.

Not with the likes of Desire Two also in consideration.

Manchester United have £35m Desire Doue from Rennes

French publication Sport Zone wrote in May that Man United were one of a number of clubs in contact for the Rennes youngster, alongside Arsenal, Paris Saint-Germain, Bayern Munich and German champions Bayer Leverkusen.

Two, at 19, is not as advanced in development as Olise and feels less secure. However, what it lacks in experience, it might make up for in versatility and affordability. While Crystal Palace’s number seven only plays on the right, Doue is just as comfortable on either flank as well as through the middle as the number ten. He dazzled on the left against AC Milan in the Europa League last season.

Meanwhile, at a reported £35m, the flamboyant teenager could be signed for around half the release clause in his Olise Palace contract.

Rennes president Olivier Cloarec broke his silence in conversation with Ouest France this week. The continued interest in Doue, he says, is no surprise, while refusing to rule out a summer move.

“We know that, since he was young, he was followed by the biggest European clubs,” admits Cloarec. “That won’t change this summer.

“And we will see depending on the offers (if he stays or leaves). I’m not talking about numbers.”

“(But) it’s not our desire to change the whole team.”

Mason Greenwood in Juventus talks

Man United will likely need to move on for one of their best players before going all-in on Doue or Olise, with Ineos open to offers for Antony and Jadon Sancho.

The good news is that Mason Greenwood is potentially just weeks away from ending his Old Trafford career. Gianluca di Marzio reports that the England international has agreed a move to Juventus, with the Italian giants hoping to reach a deal for an initial fee of £25m.

“I’m delighted with his development,” Rennes coach Julien Stephan told Made in Foot of Doue. “Because when he arrived (in the first team) it was a crucial period in observing his behaviour.

“I saw somebody disappointed (with his lack of playing time). Frustrated, but totally dedicated to his profession. Later, being more focused, being efficient and showing a lot of personality in high-stakes matches, he showed his qualities, his versatility.

“And that’s power. So it has a very positive evolution. Sometimes there are little relapses and it’s inevitable at that age. But overall, his progression curve is steady, in the right way.

“He knows where he wants to go and he gives the means (to get there).”