Who is Rabbi Matondo? Real Madrid 'rival Manchester United' for Jadon Sancho alternative

Joe Krishnan26 May 2020

Manchester United face competition for reported target Schalke starlet Rabbi Matondo as the club search for alternative targets to Jadon Sancho.

The 19-year-old moved to the Bundesliga outfit in 2019 after turning down a new deal at Manchester City, following in Sancho's footsteps by moving to Germany.

While Standard Sport understands Sancho is United's top target, financial insecurities from the coronavirus pandemic so see them look for cheaper options.

According to the Manchester Evening News, Matondo has caught the eye of United in his debut season abroad and could be considered as an alternative to Borussia Dortmund's Sancho, who is valued at £120million.

But there is rival interest from Real Madrid, report Dario, so who is the young winger?

Here is everything you need to know about the Schalke youngster...

Matondo came through Man City's youth system  Photo: Getty Images
Getty Images

Career

Matondo was born in Liverpool but moved to Wales at a young age and comes from a family of footballers. His father, Dada, played in DR Congo, while his brothers Cedrick and Japhet play at youth level.

Having joined Cardiff City as a youngster, he moved to Man City in 2016 and like Sancho was on track to be given an opportunity in the first team.

But Matondo decided to leave without making a senior appearance for Man City after Schalke swooped to sign him in a reported £11m deal in January 2019, and made his Bundesliga debut just three days later against Borussia Monchengladbach.

Matondo has since made 21 appearances for the club and got off the mark for the club scoring in the 3-1 win over RB Leipzig. His displays earned him a call-up to Ryan Giggs' Wales squad, and he has won four caps since his debut in November 2018 against Albania.

Matondo followed Sancho from Man City to the Bundesliga  Photo: AFP via Getty Images
AFP via Getty Images

Playing style

It's easy to see why Man City fought so hard to try to keep Matondo - and why United would be interested.

The teenager is regarded as a something of speed merchant, showing defender a clean set of heels with pace and agility from the left or right flank, and it's safe to assume he would slot into United's counter-attacking style with his direct running and impressive dribbling skills.

While he perhaps hasn't adapted quite as well as Sancho has to life in Germany, Matondo is highly regarded in Gelsenkirchen and has been tipped to improve.

In Pictures | Manchester United's summer transfer targets

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Will the deal happen?

United have shown a willingness to sign young British talent under Solskjaer, with Daniel James and Aaron Wan-Bissaka arriving from Swansea and Crystal Palace last summer, and Matondo very much fits the bill.

Not only would he represent a much lower fee than Sancho, he would perhaps be willing to settle for a squad role at first while he adapts to the Premier League.

The risk is certainly lower in financial terms, although Matondo has already experienced some disciplinary problems in his short career.

The same school of though could apply to Real Madrid, with pursestrings expected to be tightened across the game.

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