With some young and talented players likely to be on display, RB Salzburg against OGC Nice was always going to be a hub of activity of scouts on Thursday, and that’s exactly what happened.
According to the Austrian club’s official website, seven big European clubs, among which were Manchester United, announced they would be sending scouts to the game, with young midfielders such as Vincent Koziello for Nice or Salzburg’s young duo of Valentino Lazaro and Konrad Laimer all starting on Thursday night.
Both Austrian starlets have been regular fixtures for Salzburg this season, with Lazaro scoring three goals in 19 appearances, while Laimer has had to make do with just the one goal and one assist from midfielder so far.
As for Koziello, the 20-year-old has played an integral part in helping Nice top the Ligue 1 table this season, albeit not playing every single game, and, with 54 appearances under his belt for the club already in his career, is certainly one to look out for in the future.
Manchester United were joined by the likes of Barcelona, Borussia Dortmund and AC Milan in the stands.
Of course, this in no way means that José Mourinho is planning to sign any of the players mentioned above, but with the likes of Michael Carrick and Bastian Schweinsteiger likely to leave the club in the near future, it would make complete sense if he were to be keeping tabs on some of the more promising young midfielders on display in the Europa League.
Then again, he could be watching someone completely different.
