Manchester United face competition from Chelsea and Bayern Munich for Spanish pass-master - statistics

Manchester United face fierce competition from fellow Premier League outfit Chelsea for their number one target Thiago Alcantara, who Barcelona are condemned to losing this summer.

The £15m release clause in the Spaniard's contract has seen a swarm of interest from the biggest clubs in Europe, including Champions League winners Bayern Munich, but it was thought that the Red Devils were in pole position.

However, Bayern are coming out of a season which they won the treble and will be bossed by Pep Guardiola from July, the same man who gave Thiago his debut at Camp Nou in 2009 when the midfielder was aged just 18.

His fine form last season in La Liga as well as the U21 European Championships only solidified his reputation as one of the most able youngsters in his position, especially after his hat-trick in the final to hand Spain the trophy.

The 22-year-old played 27 times for Barca in the league last season yet completed just eight of them, but his 92% pass accuracy and 59% duel success gives you a flavour of what the young man is about. He scored two goals, created 21 chances and was successful in 77% of the 43 tackles he attempted.

Will Thiago be playing in the red of United, the blue of Chelsea, or in lederhosen in Bavaria?

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