Ivan Rakitic to Manchester United? Barcelona midfielder ‘one of the most underrated players,’ says Jose Mourinho

Ivan Rakitic to Manchester United? Barcelona midfielder ‘one of the most underrated players,’ says Jose Mourinho
Former Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has praised the many talents of Barcelona midfielder Ivan Rakitic.The 30-year-old scored the winner in El Clasico to move 12 points clear of Real Madrid, effectively ending their rivals’ hopes of staying in the LaLiga title race.2

Rakitic’s chipped finish secured Barcelona victory in the most recent Clasico

“He’s one of the most underrated players in the world,” Mourinho, who has also previously managed Real, told beIN Sports.“Fantastic in all levels; he defends, he compensates for Messi, he runs and he’s sensible with the ball at his feet.”Rakitic is believed to be one of three players United are interested in along with Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Kalidou Koulibaly.The 30-year-old could have left Barcelona for Paris Saint-Germain last summer, and though Barca convinced him to stay, a contract extension beyond its current end period in 2021 has yet to materialise.

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Rakitic display against Real Madrid proof of the damage he could do elsewhere

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Playing in a team that boasts Lionel Messi, Ousmane Dembele and Luis Suarez means Rakitic rarely gets praise and his winner could be his last major contribution for Barca against Real.There were few clear-cut chances for Real, who are now winless in their last six league games against their rivals where tempers almost boiled over at half-time when Messi looked to have been caught by a stray arm from Los Blancos captain Sergio Ramos.Barca, though, swept into the lead 26 minutes into the game when Sergi Roberto released Rakitic down the right.

| GOAL! | Ivan Rakitic opens the scoring with a beautiful finish at the Bernabeu! Barcelona lead Real Madrid once again #ElClasico pic.twitter.com/CJEYr4qEbL— Eleven Sports (@ElevenSports_UK) March 2, 2019

It was a second Bernabeu defeat to Barcelona in four days for Real, who also lost 3-0 in the Copa del Rey semi-final second leg.“It’s a shame that we’re gone (from the title race) and the distance is so big, but we’re going to keep fighting because everything is possible,” Ramos said.“We congratulate them on the result. We played well but it was not enough.”Getty Images2

Messi and Ramos clash at the Bernabeu

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