It was revealed that Manchester United led the 20 million signing of the French assist king! Poaching Europa League opponents, candidates for the future Ballon d'Or

Manchester United were held to a 2-2 draw by Lyon in last week's Europa League, with French talent Rayan Cherki scoring the equaliser in stoppage time. While Andre Onana was to blame for his escape, Serki's follow-up shot was also clever and his left-footed volley didn't give the goalkeeper any chance. It is worth mentioning that Sherkie has long been on the Red Devils' list of rumours, with Sir Jim Ratcliffe believed to want to bring him in the summer window.

According to the British "Daily Mirror", Manchester United are currently in the lead in the race for Cherki. The 21-year-old has scored eight goals in 25 Ligue 1 appearances this season, leading the league assist chart with nine assists and averaging 2.4 key passes per game. In 37 games in all competitions, Serky has been involved in 29 goals (11 goals, 18 assists), including 11 goals (3 goals, 8 assists) in 11 Europa League games.

In France's under-21 team, Cherky made 23 appearances and scored 13 goals. In particular, in March this year, he led the young "Gallic Roosters" to a 5-3 victory over England's youth team, and he scored twice, including a score after beating Everton defender Branswaite, who is interested in Manchester United, and is considered to have the potential to win the Ballon d'Or in the future! But Serki's transfer fee is very low, just £20 million (€25 million)! This is because its contract expires next year.

Therefore, Premier League giants such as Liverpool have long been eyeing each other. Manchester United owner Rajue owns Ligue 1 side Nice and therefore knows the league very well, and he is hungry for Sherkie. According to British media, Manchester United were interested in Sherkie long before the acquisition by Rajue, and began to pay attention when he was 16 years old.

It is reported that before signing a professional contract with Lyon, who had played for him since childhood, Sherkie almost joined the Manchester United Academy managed by Manchester United's 92 version legend Nikki Butt. Sergei is said to have been warmly received during his visit to United's Carrington training ground, an experience that could give the Red Devils some of an edge when it comes to signing him.

However, this week's talented teenager could pose a threat to United's eventual hopes of winning the Europa League this season, with Shchergie not planning to back down at Old Trafford after a first-leg draw. "We're a lot better than Manchester United." Responding to Onana, Serki said: "We know Manchester United are a strong team, but we have never been afraid and we will never be afraid. In the second round, Lyon will attack with all his might."

Former Arsenal Lyon team-mate Ainsley Maitland-Niles believes Sherkie is extremely talented, hinting at his ability to make a name for himself in the Premier League.

"Layan [Sherkie] is the most talented player I've ever seen," Niles said, "and he's definitely a master, a ball control wizard. He took chances, assisted or took us up front with dribbling and dribbling. He's a genius, nimble, fearless, pushing, easy, and skilled. Now, he's learned to contribute to the team without the ball, and he's taken it to the next level this season."

Lyon may be keen to keep the star player, but the club's serious financial problems may not be able to do so. Due to the sheer scale of the outstanding debt, the club was at risk of relegation to Ligue 2 next season, and they were precautionarily relegated to the second division, thankfully with a suspended execution. To avoid this fate, Lyon will almost certainly run a player sale in the summer to improve their finances.

Last season, Serky rejected Ligue 1 giants Paris Saint-Germain and is likely to move this year. Manchester United missed out on several Lyon players during the Ferdinor era, such as Essien and later World Footballer of the Year Benzema, and will be hoping that Amorim will not miss out on Shcherki.