Who is Malcom? The Manchester United target currently tearing it up in Ligue 1 for Bordeaux

have taken a closer look at the former Liverpool transfer target and discuss what he would bring to United.

Who is Malcom?

Born in Sao Paulo, the teenager impressed in his home country with Corinthians, for whom he struck ten goals in 73 appearances.

His form alerted European sides and, for just over £4m, Bordeaux pounced. They signed the attacker in January 2016, it was a smart investment.

Malcom had to wait until February to make his debut and it was little surprise he took a few weeks to find his feet.

He registered an assist against Troyes with four games of the 2015/16 campaign remaining and that was followed by his first goal for the club a week later.

Target-man Cheick Diabate played a low cross across the box and Malcom was there to provide the left-foot finish. It wasn’t eye-catching or memorable, but he was off the mark.

Now, after 77 games for Les Girondins, the 20-year-old has blossomed into a fully-fledged star.

Capable of moments of brilliance, he’s no stranger to scoring spectacular goals and is becoming a human highlight-reel this term.

Last season he finished with seven Ligue 1 goals and five assists.

---

HIT AND MISS Where are the top 50 teenagers in the world from 2007 now?

---

Less than halfway into the current campaign, he has found the net on seven occasions and has set-up another four goals.

But after a good start, Bordeaux are currently struggling.

Malcom has so far contributed to half of the 22 goals they’ve managed this season, so there is an obvious collation between the Brazilian playing well and Jocelyn Gourvennec’s team picking up points.

Where would he play at Man United?

Gourvennec is known for playing a 4-4-2 system. Last season Malcom played on the right of the four and that allowed him to drift inside.

Bordeaux have changed things up during this campaign, moving to a 4-2-3-1 system that has allowed the Brazilian to play further forward.

Although the team may not be in a strong position, it has clearly played to his strengths.

Without the same defensive responsibilities, Malcom can drift across the attack, finding pockets of space.

But, primarily, he loves to hang wide-right, then burst off the touchline, taking the ball on and looking to terrorise defenders.

Possessing a rocket of a left-foot, Lyon, Saint-Etienne and Dijon found out the hard way just how dangerous Malcom can be from distance

When play builds down the left, the Brazilian stretches a defence. And if opposition defenders don’t come out to meet him, he has no hesitation to firing off another goal-seeking missile

With Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford preferring to come in off the left flank, the Bordeaux star would provide balance to the attack and give Mourinho another option in the final third.

How much would Malcom cost?

With almost every goal that flies in, Bordeaux add another couple of million to his price tag.

But like most French clubs outside of Paris Saint-Germain and Monaco, his value has a ceiling.

Les Girondins are only a couple of points off the relegation zone and although they would be pains to sell their best player, they are in no position to reject a healthy eight-figure sum.

Bought from Corinthians for £4m, an offer of close to £30m would represent great business for the French club.

Bordeaux also agreed a contract extension until 2021 with Malcom in September, knowing it was a way to keep his value at a premium instead of tying him to the club.

Ultimately he is a player who gets fans off their seat. When he receives the ball around the penalty area, there is only one thought on the minds of the Bordeaux fans… shoot!

Luckily, it’s often the thought on Malcom’s mind too.

He is still adapting and growing into European football and it may be a little early to move to England, but there’s no doubt he would bring excitement, energy and plenty of skill to Old Trafford.