Manchester United are reportedly sending scouts to a Europa League match to see a player Jose Mourinho labelled as “perfect” and compared to Raphael Varane. The French centre-back, who is now retired, had a brilliant career at Real Madrid before leaving for Old Trafford in 2021.
Manchester United face Real Sociedad in San Sebastian in the round of 16 on Thursday night, but they will also have a presence at Fenerbahce’s clash with Rangers starting at the same time.
The Red Devils played Mourinho’s Fenerbahce at the Sukru Saracoglu Stadium in the league phase back in October. According to Yagiz Sabuncuoglu of Sports Digital, they will have scouts watching Yusuf Akcicek in action tonight Thursday when Fenerbahce host Rangers.
The 19-year-old made his debut for Fener in November 2023 and has made 15 appearances in all competitions, including five in the Europa League. The defender, who can play as a centre-back and left-back, scored against Anderlecht in the last round and has been tipped to have a bright future.
Akcicek is yet to make his senior debut for Turkey, but Mourinho is already a big believer in his talent, and after playing 90 minutes in a 0-0 draw with Galatasaray in February, he said he believes he can follow in Varane’s footsteps.
“To play the kid in a game like that, 18 years old, he saved my butt,” Mourinho said in his press conference.
“He was fantastic. I am very proud of him and trust him. He is not perfect, but he will be perfect.
“I don’t want to compare him to Rapha Varane because Rapha Varane has won four Champions Leagues, the World Cup and won everything, but I had Rapha Varane when he was 18 and I wasn’t wrong. And I’m not wrong with this boy. Great personality and very confident.”
Spurs
, another of Mourinho’s former clubs, are said to have sent scouts to see him up close against Antalyaspor. However, there wasn’t much to report on – with Akcicek not named in the starting 1 when Mert Muldur got the nod.
In fact, he didn’t even get on the pitch when Muldur was substituted, Alexander Djiku was the man who replaced him.
Akcicek has a contract until June 2028, but it looks like he may not be at Fenerbahce for much longer.
