Why Manchester United should regret missing out on Lucas Moura

Many Manchester United fans still shudder at the memory of losing Lucas Moura to Paris Saint-Germain.

A star at Sao Paolo, the Red Devils were reportedly very keen in signing the youngster in 2012 before the French club stepped in; their ability (and willingness) to spend more money than United proving the difference in the end.

Lucas eventually made the switch to the capital club in the January window of 2013 and while he didn’t become an instant star at PSG, he certainly showed why he was such a highly-sought after prospect with his strong dribbling skills and attacking play.

Paris Saint-Germain know that right now, they have one of the most natural wingers and exciting young players sitting in their ranks. At 21, Lucas still has an incredibly bright future ahead of him, and if he continues to develop and consolidate his skills like he has done so far, there’s seemingly no limit to just how good the Brazilian can be.

For that fact alone, there’s little doubting United’s regret not to wrap up a deal with him when they had the chance.

Those accolades might seem a little high for a player who has registered just one league goal and three assists since making his transfer to PSG, and those numbers (or lack of them) are important to note. Lucas created just 16 goal-scoring chances last year and only 11 through this year so far; numbers that don’t exactly inspire a great deal of confidence.

However, it must also be pointed out that across those two seasons, Lucas has only been given one full starting game.

He was either subbed off, or subbed on, in every other game—and that’s been the case so far 2013 as he’s yet to play 90 minutes.

Laurent Blanc isn’t giving the Brazilian the opportunity that he needs to shine, which is why the sheer volume of goals and assists that many expected hasn’t been forthcoming. The 4-3-3 formation that he’s using (as opposed to Carlo Ancelotti’s 4-2-2-2 from last season) doesn’t allow him to get forward enough and contribute, and that’s stifling Lucas’ chances at success somewhat.

Look deeper at his performances at PSG and you’ll see just how efficient Lucas can be when he’s actually on the field.

Against Toulouse last year, the 21-year-old completed 94% of his attempted passes and attempted a whopping eight take-ons as well. He provided two assists, and Paris Saint-Germain ran out 4-0 winners on the night.

When he gets forward, the results can be deadly. It is no surprise to see that in the game where he netted his first goal for PSG (against Bordeaux earlier this year), Moura was further down the field than he ever has been since making the summer switch. He not only scored in that game, but created four more goal-scoring chances for others and completed seven take-ons also.

That’s the reward that seemingly awaits PSG when they allow their starlet to press forward, and it’s no doubt the reward and attacking talent that Manchester United wish they had in their squad right now.

The Red Devils have struggled for creativity so far this year (ranked eighth in the Premier League for total goal-scoring chances created) and, remarkably, have completed just over half of their attempted take-ons this season as well.

Their three main creative wide men (Antonio Valencia, Ashley Young and Nani) have combined to create just 14 goal-scoring chances all year, which is just one more than Tottenham Hotspur defender Kyle Walker has this season.

As can be seen from their Pitch View above, United are struggling to find creativity and tenacity from their wide men this year and aren’t offering anywhere near the same attacking potency out wide as they have done in years gone by.

One can only wonder how different it might be if they had a certain young Brazilian to call on.