Man United 'sniffing around' starlet dubbed the 'next Iniesta' who Erik ten Hag loves

Manchester United are reportedly targeting a young player who has been compared to Spain legend Andres Iniesta.

This summer, United spent big to bring in the likes of Mason Mount, Andre Onana and Rasmus Hojlund.

However, the start of United’s season has been far from ideal, Erik ten Hag’s men have only managed to collect nine points from their opening six matches.

Planning ahead, United have been linked with Royal Antwerp start Arthur Vermeeren, who has had a meteoric rise in Belgian football.

After making his first-team debut last year, the young midfielder has been playing regularly for Royal Antwerp this season.

A few months ago, it was reported in Spain that United boss Ten Hag ‘is in love’ with the midfielder and that the Old Trafford club have contacted Vermeeren’s representatives to discuss a potential transfer.

However, according to Mundo Deportivo, United will face competition from Barcelona, who are also keen on the youngster.

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Gent player Sven Kums has recently told Gazet van Antwerpen that there are similarities between Vermeeren and Iniesta.

He said: “I certainly wasn’t that good at that age. He’ll go much further than me, that seems clear to me. I like to see such types working.

“I didn’t used to watch a lot of football, but I would turn on my TV for Barcelona. For Xavi and Iniesta. Not that I see every Antwerp match now, but I have that with him too. You see that he scans a lot. He always chooses position wisely. You can train for that a bit, but I think you either have something like that or you don’t. And he has that.”

Kums continued: “To perform like this at such a young age is incredible. Vermeeren is a very good but also a beautiful footballer. I don’t know what’s true about what you sometimes read about the interest of big teams, but it wouldn’t surprise me.”

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