Manchester United has been warned against pursuing a transfer for Neil El Aynaoui, a midfielder currently playing for Roma, after the club missed out on two major targets to Tottenham Hotspur. Following the loss of Mateus Fernandes and Sandro Tonali, United is exploring new options, including El Aynaoui, who gained attention for his performances with Morocco during the World Cup.

Despite being a diligent player with good ball-handling skills, analysts suggest that United should think twice before making a move for the 25-year-old. One of the primary concerns is the risk associated with transfers from Serie A, particularly given United's previous experience with Sofyan Amrabat. The club had spent £8.5 million to loan Amrabat after his standout performance in the 2022 World Cup, yet he struggled to adapt to the English football environment.

Furthermore, there are concerns that El Aynaoui's playing style is too similar to that of United's new signing, Ederson, but with a lower skill level. This was evident in a recent Serie A match where Ederson outperformed El Aynaoui significantly. In their head-to-head encounter, Ederson received a Sofascore rating of 7.2, while El Aynaoui managed only 6.3. Ederson excelled in defensive contributions, winning 7 out of 9 duels compared to El Aynaoui's 1 out of 9, and also had better ball recovery and passing accuracy.

Given these factors, experts are suggesting that Manchester United should consider other options, such as Ayyoub Bouaddi, who may prove to be a more viable alternative than El Aynaoui.