Universidad de Chile starlet Ángelo Henríquez completed his medical with Manchester United Tuesday, leaving the US$5.5 million switch to the English club all but complete.
"I'm super happy to arrive at Manchester United and it's a spectacular time for me. I'm fulfilling a dream that I have had for a long time and that I can soon make real. I'm arriving where I want to be," Henríquez said in an interview with Chilean newspaper La Tercera.“I’ve come to stay at Manchester United,” he added.
The Red Devils have had a first option in place with Universidad de Chile since 2009, but following interest from local rivals Manchester City, stepped up their interest in the striker and are expected to finalize the deal over the coming days.
The hotly-tipped 18-year-old has had an explosive start to his professional career, with 11 goals in 18 games for the Chilean Apertura champions so far and his sparkling performances attracted the gaze of Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson.
Although the club has to agree terms with the player, it is unlikely that the deal will hit any snags and Henríquez should put pen to paper before the end of the August transfer window.
Henríquez would become the first Chilean to play for Manchester United, and the second most expensive transfer in La U’s history after Eduardo Vargas’ transfer to Italian club Napoli last year.
The transfer is especially eye catching for Chilean fans as it is unprecedented for a player to move from the Chilean League to a Champions League club as a teenager and many pundits have noted that it is a strong reflection on Henriquez’s potential as a player.
Although some have drawn comparisons between Henriquez and compatriot Alexis Sánchez, many in the Chilean media have nicknamed him the “Chilean Raúl” after Real Madrid’s talismanic striker. Apart from a striking physical resemblance and the symbolic number seven shirt, Henriquez also possesses a lethal turn of pace, an excellent poacher’s instinct, strong positioning and strength that belies his slight frame.
“I’m a fast and powerful striker,” Henríquez said. “I’m a goalscorer who likes to play things simple.”
With the signing of Robin Van Persie also imminent, Henríquez will probably be fifth in the Old Trafford pecking order and could well be sent out on loan— possibly back to La U, who still have four months left in the national Clausura tournament.
See Henríquez in action here.
By Miles Coleman (coleman@santiagotimes.cl)
Copyright 2012 - The Santiago Times
About the writer
Miles Coleman
Miles was born in Johannesburg, South Africa and, despite moving to London at a young age, still supports the Springboks over England. He is currently in his third year of undergraduate studies at Bristol University, doing Spanish and Portuguese. As well as writing for the Santiago Times he also writes for Erudition Online in the UK, as well as occasionally contributing to The Guardian Online. He is currently on his year abroad in Chile, practicing being a journalist. He once scored a 30 yard volley in a practice football game for the Badock B Team. Manchester United are said to be interested in his services.
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