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Five players at the 2020 Olympics that Manchester United might want to keep an eye on

Photo by Masashi Hara/Getty Images
Photo by Masashi Hara/Getty Images
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Photo by Masashi Hara/Getty Images

Manchester United may be wise to keep track of the footballing talents on show at this summer’s Tokyo Olympic Games.

If the European Championship finals weren’t enough, then fans can feast their eyes on the emerging stars on show at the Olympics.

Perhaps more poignantly, top-level sides can make a note of players they potentially might want to sign in future, or straight after the tournament if they fancied.

Here is a list of names United might just want to give extra special attention to over the next few weeks.

Takefusa Kubo – Japan/ Real Madrid

Not many cross the Real Madrid and Barcelona divide and get away with, but Takefusa Kubo has managed just that.

Originally a product of Barca’s fabled academy system, the winger was signed by Real Madrid in 2019.

Photo by Boris Streubel/Getty Images

Although he is yet to feature for Madrid’s first team, the 20-year-old has gained plenty of experience in La Liga thanks to loans with Mallorca, Villarreal and Getafe.

Kubo scored Japan’s winner against South Africa in the opening round of fixtures at the Olympics.

Nehuen Perez– Argentina/ Atletico Madrid

Some United supporters may recognise Nehuen Perez from their Europa League clash with Granada last season.

He started in the quarter-final second leg defeat at Old Trafford.

Photo by Fran Santiago/Getty Images

Perez played 26 times for the Spanish club in all competitions and captained Argentina during their 2-0 loss to Australia.

Unai Simon – Spain/ Athletic Bilbao

Watchers of the Euros will certainly remember Unai Simon for several reasons.

Athletic Bilbao’s goalkeeper started every game for Spain at the competition. He was their hero in the quarter-final win over Switzerland after saving two penalties in the shootout.

Simon did concede a nightmarish own goal in the previous round victory over Croatia, but all was forgotten when he came up trumps versus the Swiss.

Photo by Dmitriy Golubovich/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

At club level, he kept nine clean sheets for Bilboa across 43 games in 2020/21.

The 24-year-old also held Egypt at bay as Spain began their Olympics with a 0-0 draw.

Due to United’s uncertain ‘keeper situation, Simon could be one to look out for.

Nadiem AmiriGermany / Bayer Leverkusen

Nadiem Amiri was on target for Germany during their 4-2 downfall to Brazil on matchday one.

Nadiem Amiri
Photo by Tom Weller/DeFodi Images via Getty Images

Despite finishing on the losing team, the attacking midfielder can be proud of his efforts both internationally and domestically.

For Leverkusen in the campaign just gone, he scored five goals and provided nine assists in 39 appearances.

Bruno Guimaraes – Brazil / Lyon

On the other end of yesterday’s result was Bruno Guimaraes of Lyon.

Although he didn’t score, the defensive midfielder did set up one of his national side’s four goals.

Arsenal have reportedly shown interest in the Brazilian, who played 37 times last year, scoring on three occasions.

Bruno Guimaraes
Photo by Marcio Machado/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images

United are screaming out for a CDM, so watch this space.