Man Utd have two reasons why Richarlison transfer makes total sense amid Liverpool rivalry

Manchester United are set for some major changes in the transfer window this summer with Erik ten Hag set to join from Ajax with some ideas on how to strengthen the squad

Manchester United have made signing a striker a priority in the transfer window this summer and Everton star Richarlison is right at the top of the list.

Goal Brazil reported recently that Richarlison was on United’s striker shortlist for the summer transfer window. That could be an absolute masterstroke by the Red Devils – one they have failed to do in the transfer window for some time. With a new regime coming in this summer, this could signal a change in direction from the rudderless Ed Woodward era.

Under the former chief executive at Old Trafford, the transfer policy was often scatter-gun, eyeing the big names and lusting over Twitter interactions over actual impact on the pitch. With Woodward having stepped aside and Ralf Rangnick moving into a consultancy role, it is time to return to what is actually important: the football.

And one signing to earmark this new regime could be the arrival of Richarlison – who has already shown that he has the fire in his belly that United fans will absolutely adore. The Everton striker has arguably been Frank Lampard’s most important player in the midst of their relegation troubles.

In total, the Brazil international has scored 11 this year in one of the most difficult seasons in Everton’s Premier League history. Four of them have come in his last seven appearances.

That includes his strike against Crystal Palace on Thursday night to help the Toffees clinch survival. Yet despite his impact, Richarlison’s future remains uncertain for the forward on Merseyside. United are not the only club interested in the 25-year-old, while he might be looking to take the next step in his career as a player whose talent is wasted battling relegation.

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As a fluid forward who can operate across the frontline and as a classic No. 9, Ten Hag would no doubt be able to get the best out of the former Watford star having performed similar tasks at Ajax. Signing Richarlison could be a masterstroke.

But as well as his ability on the pitch, the Everton star might have already adorned himself to the United fans with his utter abhorrence directed at Liverpool. Much like the Red Devils, there is a longstanding rivalry between the two ends of Merseyside that Richarlison absolutely gets.

His tweet directed at Jamie Carragher, for example, proves that point – insisting he has “no respect” for the Liverpool legend. No doubt that would have made a few United fans chuckle.

After almost a decade of feeding mercenary egos at Old Trafford, it might be time to return to their roots and sign players who would die for the badge. In Richarlison, they would find someone who would go even further.