Pundit blasts ‘farce of a statement’ as clubs line up to sign Leeds player
Alex McLeish has insisted Leeds United Illan Meslier did his reputation no harm as Manchester United reportedly scouted him against Manchester City.
The former Scotland manager, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, claimed the 21-year-old had “no chance” with most of the seven goals conceded.
As reported by the Daily Mail on Wednesday (15 December), Manchester United goalkeeping scout Tony Coton was in attendance to watch Meslier in the Whites’ 7-0 thrashing away at City.
The Red Devils have reportedly identified the Leeds star as the best young keeper in the country.
The report claims chief scout Jim Lawlor has also watched the Frenchman.
McLeish insisted Meslier would be a great signing for Manchester United.
However, he blasted how the newspapers covered the Red Devils’ scouting mission.
McLeish told Football Insider’s Russell Edge: “It was a farce of a statement in the newspapers that of all games, they went to see a 7-0 defeat.
“But a lot of the goals, there was no chance for the goalkeeper.
“We’ve discussed him a lot and we’ve spoken about his youth. His ability has been way ahead of the age he is at this particular moment.
“You have to believe other teams would be looking at that guy. This guy is going to be sought after. That is no surprise.
“The fact that he’s so young and he’s been so consistent makes him an ideal candidate for anybody.”
Manchester United currently have David De Gea, Dean Henderson and Tom Heaton as their senior goalkeeping options.
However, as revealed by Football Insider last month (16 November), Henderson is in line to leave on loan in January.
In other news, ex-manager suggests where Marcelo Bielsa has gone wrong at Leeds United after “damaging” blow.