Manchester United reportedly interested in Borussia Dortmund's Mario Goetze according to the Daily Mail

The Daily Mail is reporting that Manchester United have interest in Mario Goetze, an 18 year-old attacking midfielder for Borussia Dortmund of the Bundesliga. According to the report, United are prepared to bid 12-million Euros for the Dortmund starlet, who is considered to be one of the top up-and-coming prospects in European football. Matthias Sammer, the German football association's technical director, has praised Goetze as "one of the best talents that we've ever had." The young German has been instrumental to Dortmund, who currently top the Bundesliga table by a massive ten points. He has 4 goals and 7 assists in 21 appearances, impressive enough to earn Goetze two caps already for the German senior national team. 

Goetze has been described to have excellent pace, world class technical ability, and to be a creative force. Dortmund play in a '4-2-3-1' shape, and Goetze has proven capable of playing any role in the midfield band of 3; either centrally or on the flank. He is scouted to be strong on either foot, and to have a calm temperament. United have received inconsistent play from their central midfield during their current campaign, as the Red Devils have often lacked the killer pass in final attacking third to break down compact and organized defenses. With 36 year-old Paul Scholes having yet to commit to another season, and rumors of Michael Carrick's departure in the summer, United will likely be in need of midfield reinforcements during the summer transfer window. At the very least, the Red Devils are in need of an attacking midfielder capable of being a creative force higher up the pitch, as both Scholes and Carrick are deep-lying playmakers. With the proven history of Sir Alex Ferguson and United in developing young talent, Old Trafford seems to be a logical destination that would be good fit for the exciting young German prospect. 

Having watched Dortmund play a few times, I can could envision a role where Goetze gets featured in a three-man central midfield when Fergie elects to go with his '4-3-3/4-5-1' shape. Goetze could play highest up the pitch as the most attacking of the three; with Anderson and Fletcher playing a bit deeper or Scholes/Carrick as the deep lying playmaker and Fletcher/Anderson in a box-to-box role. The physicality of the Premier League might possibly make him vulnerable at times in a  '4-4-2', nonetheless, he'd be an exciting option to have and I'd be thrilled to see him in a United kit come August. Transfer rumors are always swirling, and its difficult to pick out which ones have merit. I'm hoping this one does. 

Mario Götze Highlights (via sj41)