Manchester United could emulate 2003 Cristiano Ronaldo deal as boss reacts to wonderkid link-up

Only five days passed between the two opposite days. Inspired by Ronaldo, Sporting beat Manchester United At the newly opened Estadio Jose Alvalade stadium, the 18-year-old winger poses next to Sir Alex Ferguson in that hideous technicolour jumper.

Twenty years on and while comparisons to one of the greatest in football history are yet to be justified in terms of raw talent and potential, there are certainly glimpses of the Ronaldo deal as Manchester United eye a young dribbling king who could follow in his footsteps at Old Trafford.

Manchester United could repeat Cristiano Ronaldo deal with Tyler Dibling

Manchester United reportedly eyeing Southampton’s Tyler DiblingYou know, the kid who gave it to you. Diogo Dalot The evasive answer that happened last week.

Sporting director Dan Ashworth had shown interest in the 18-year-old player during his time at Newcastle and stated that he was a big fan of him.

But could a dazzling performance against the Red Devils’ defence, as Ronaldo did in Sporting’s green-and-white striped kit in the early 2000s, turn Manchester United’s initial interest into something more tangible?

Dibling is certainly not a ‘one-game wonder’.

After a scintillating pre-season, the Exeter-born 18-year-old continues to justify the faith of Saints boss Russell Martin. He scored his first senior goal in Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Ipswich Town, striking with the kind of composure that Dibling has already made his own.

It was natural that much of the post-match discussion revolved around him.

And Martin isn’t surprised to see Dibling starting to get the attention he deserves in scouting circles.

“I think when you’re 18 and playing at his level in the Premier League, every club in the world is probably looking at you,” Martin said in his post-match press conference, noting that Sam Morsy had saved Dibling’s 95th-minute goal.

“It’s ours.”

Dibling draws comparisons to Marcus Rashford

Martin adds that Southampton have already rejected approaches, with Chelsea reportedly interested in a player who had a brief spell in their academy a few seasons ago.

“The club have rejected offers for him since I arrived. It’s no secret to anyone who follows Under-21 football,” adds the former Swansea City and MK Dons boss. “Ultimately we want the best for him and he has a great support network around him.

“We have to make sure he is constantly enjoying it and that we have a style of play that he can thrive in.

“Speculation means nothing to him or me. We are in a strong position and I am sure we will look to secure and strengthen it further.

“If he keeps doing what he’s doing, he’ll deserve it. He just needs to focus on football and concentrate on what he’s doing.”

Man United legend Rio Ferdinand has spoken of comparisons to Marcus Rashford after Dibling gave Dalot a nightmare at St Mary’s, with arguably no player having tormented the full-back more than Arnaut Danjuma at Villarreal in 2021.

Erik ten Hag was very pleased Manchester United beat Southampton 3-0 On the South Shore. But that was only after a torturous start and a few very lucky escapes.

Dibling forced the in-form Andre Onana into a superb save, before the England Under-19 international curled a penalty past Dalot.

The Cameroonian international scores a penalty kick – Mattijs de Ligt describes Onana as Manchester United’s difference-maker full time – would heroically keep out.

Rashford, of course, burst onto the scene during the Louis van Gaal era at Man United in a manner not unlike Dibling.

With Ineos determined to once again make Old Trafford a fertile breeding ground for football’s A-list stars, Dibling could fit into a squad that has already spent big on Leny Yoro, while also signing Samuel Lusale, Hubert Graczyk and Chido Obi-Martin from Crystal Palace and Arsenal.

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