Would this 22-year-old Germany star be a good signing for Manchester United?

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With the recent arrival of Jose Mourinho as Manchester United manager, the clubs’ starting XI will inevitably be subject to change.

Juan Mata and Jesse Lingard have occupied the flanks at Old Trafford this season. However, many supporters are fearful that their fan-favourite and home-grown youngster will be shifted from the first eleven before the beginning of the 2016/17 regime.

The Portuguese head coach has nurtured the likes of Arjen Robben, Cristiano Ronaldo and Eden Hazard during his previous club tenures – all of whom have showcased blistering pace, mobility and strength on the wings.

United have been rumoured with a number of wide players from European clubs, including FC Basel’s Breel Embolo and Borussia Dortmund’s Henrikh Mkitaryan – but with Draxler reportedly unwilling to continue his five-year contract with Wolfsburg, he has become another prime target for the Old Trafford faithful.

The 22-year-old winger signed for VfL Wolfsburg in August 2015 from league rivals FC Schalke for a reported fee of £25.5million, and netted eight goals during his first Bundesliga campaign for the club – helping them into the quarter finals of the Champions League.

However, with the German sides’ poor league form resulting in them finishing in a lacklustre eight position and therefore failing to qualify for a successive Champions League campaign, Julian Draxlers’ future have been cast into doubt.

Jose Mourinho is set to test Wolfsburg’s resilience with a bid estimated to be close to that of the German wingers’ £35 million club value. It is not the first time the Old Trafford helm has shown interest in the former Schalke attacker, with Louis Van Gaal reportedly submitting an offer for the youngster last summer.

Draxler is currently serving for the German national team in France at the European Championships, and therefore the Red Devil’s interest will most likely accelerate in the coming weeks.

It is uncertain whether the transfer rumours will amount to a move, yet there is no question that the left-winger turned central attacking midfielder would be an addition to the current Manchester United squad – one that has disappointed fans in recent seasons.

His goal-scoring ability was shown at an early age, as he finished as the Bundesliga joint top-scorer alongside his former Schalke teammate Klaas-Jan Huntelaar.

Although his scoring tally wavered slightly during the 13/14 and 14/15 seasons, the German starlet has proven himself on the big stage – scoring twice in a 3-2 away win at Gent in the last 16 of the UEFA Champions League this season.

Aside from his clinical finishing, Draxler suits Jose Mourinho’s mould as a speedy wing player capable of beating his opposing full-back. The versatility that the 22-year-old offers as both a wide or central attacking option in a 4-2-3-1 system – one that United’s newly appointed Portgueuse manager is accustomed to – would allow United the opportunity to swap wings to cater for differing fixtures.

Second to the youngsters’ pace, the delivery he offers into a centre forward is an aspect of his game that flourishes. With seven assists during Vfl Wolfsburgs’ 2015/16 regime, stemming from a staggering 84.5% passing accuracy and 1.5 key passes per game, he would ultimately improve the link-up play, especially if a striking stature like Zlatan Ibrahimovic were to arrive at Old Trafford.

If Jose Mourinho is to continue his summer spending spree with the signature of Julian Draxler, he is arguably investing in raw young talent – similar to the transfer completion of Villareal’s Eric Bailly – whilst respecting the historic values of Manchester United.

The German number eleven could bring the spark back to Old Trafford, and with Memphis Depay failing to step up to the plate within his first season in English football, the £35 million man could be the answer to the Reds’ supporters plea for another exciting attacking character.

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