Manchester United lead race to sign Europa League 'genius' for just £20m, he's a 'wizard' on the ball

Manchester United need to find attacking quality this summer, and one potential signing has just impressed in front of Ruben Amorim.

The end of the season is moving closer and closer, but Manchester United still have something to play for in Europe.

United drew 2-2 with Lyon on Thursday night as the two sides battle for a place in the Europa League semi-finals.

Speculation may be ramping up ahead of the summer with United keen on signing Matheus Cunha from Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Ruben Amorim can't look too far ahead, though, and must keep his focus on Lyon - who appear to have a player on the United radar.

Manchester United leading Rayan Cherki race

Lyon's late equaliser on Thursday night came through Rayan Cherki.

Andre Onana spilled a late shot straight to Cherki, who dinked the ball home to send Lyon fans wild.

This was a night to forget for Onana, but Cherki may well have caught the eye for Lyon.

The Mirror claim that United are now leading the race to sign Cherki at the end of the season.

It's suggested that Cherki would cost just £20million, and United are looking to snap him up.

Cherki is still under contract at Lyon until 2026, but Fabrizio Romano told Give Me Sport in January that Cherki has a €22.5million (£20million) release clause in his contract.

That gives United a chance to strike a bargain, with Cherki seemingly facing a move to Old Trafford.

The report highlights that Cherki almost joined United as a teenager and was given a tour of Carrington at the time.

That treatment has allegedly given United a 'head start' in the race for Cherki, who is bound to attract major interest with such a cheap release clause this summer.

View Tweet

Cherki could be a cheap alternative to Matheus Cunha

Cherki has often played as a right-sided winger at Lyon, but we would question where he really has the top-level change of pace required to play that role in the Premier League.

Instead, the 21-year-old's incredible technical ability may lend itself to playing as one of the number 10s in Amorim's 3-4-2-1 system.

Cherki has racked up 10 goals and 18 assists in all competitions this season, earning praise from teammate Ainsley Maitland-Niles in the process.

"He is the best natural talent I've ever seen," Maitland-Niles told BBC Sport. "An absolute master, a wizard with the ball.

"He is taking chances, assists and dragging us up the pitch by taking people on and nutmegging them - he is a genius.

"He is two-footed, has no fear, keeps going and going, can get past people with such ease, such finesse. He is now working for the team off the ball and has gone to another level this season," he added.

Cunha's release clause stands at £62million and would take up a huge chunk of any budget United have this summer.

Cherki would be much cheaper, and United may well take a chance on his technical quality despite concerns about his athleticism moving forward.