Manchester United are always on the prowl for premium talent across the footballing globe and are now eyeing a swoop of great magnitude for one of the most arresting young stars.

What’s the word?

According to reports in Spain, United boss Erik ten Hag has set his sights on prodigious World Cup star Jamal Musiala, who was a diamond among the dirt for a Germany side that crashed out in the group phase for the second successive tournament. 

The 19-year-old has been in dazzling form for both Bayern Munich and Germany this season, utilising his dribbling prowess and ever-growing clinical knack to emerge as one of the most touted young prospects on the global stage. 

And after his feats in Qatar, the report continues that Bayern are desperate to make the requisite moves to secure his future in Germany, with Man United boss Erik ten Hag indeed among the interested suitors. 

Musiala can be the best 

Musiala has been scintillating in his rise to the top, not just a hot prospect, the 20-cap German international is a ball of fire capable of unleashing unrelenting fury on opposing backlines at any given opportunity. 

His darting dashes, velvet feet and swift manoeuvres have captivated fans at both club and international level, and it is easy to forget that the “real handful” - as once described by journalist Joe Crann - has not even parted from his teenage years.

Quite simply, he is going to reap the rewards of a career laden with silverware and individual accolades, with his intrinsic role on the professional football pitch offering shades of one George Best.

High praise indeed, but strips from Musiala’s game do indeed hold semblance to the iconic former Red Devil, who won the 1968 Ballon d'Or and served as a star of the highest quality while playing at Old Trafford. 

Making 22 appearances for Bayern Munich this term, scoring 12 goals and assisting a further ten, Musiala has been one of most prolific midfielders in Europe, with dazzling displays presented with such emphatic consistency that belies his 19 years of age.

And FBref highlights the £137m-rated gem’s versatile elegance, ranking him in the top 10% for dribbles completed, 3% for touches in the attacking penalty area and 5% for progressive passes received when compared to positional peers across Europe’s big five leagues. 

At the World Cup, against Costa Rica, Musiala made 13 successful dribbles, eclipsing the likes of Johan Cruyff, Lionel Messi and Diego Maradona when regarding most successful attempts in a single World Cup match, matching his level for such feats alongside these esteemed stars, and also Best.

It is indeed this pedigree with the ball at his feet that will cast some eyes back to Best, and how a move for the young Musiala could emulate the feats of the iconic former United ace, and cement a new dawn at the Theatre of Dreams.