Man Utd eye THREE wonderkids to fulfil INEOS ambition

Tom Weber

Updated: 23 Oct 2024 17:50 BST
3 min read

Sir Jim Ratcliffe, Man Utd, 2023/24 — © IMAGO

Manchester United are targeting a trio of 17-year-olds, according to a report.

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Shortly after seeing his investment in Man Utd ratified, Sir Jim Ratcliffe announced that the club's new ambition ought not to be signing Kylian Mbappe but to unearth the 'next Kylian Mbappe.'

To that end, the Red Devils have shifted their transfer policy away from the massive names of years past to more up-and-coming talents, though they still spent lavishly in INEOS' first-ever transfer window.

The new direction was evident in the acquisitions of Chido Obi-Martin, Sekou Kone and, of course, Leny Yoro, with the signing of the latter heavily driven not by manager Erik ten Hag but by new CEO Omar Berrada, as exclusively revealed by FootballTransfers.

To continue that trend and to fulfil Ratcliffe's ambition, Man Utd are going down the route of Chelsea in trying to snap up the biggest young talents in world football.

Man Utd trio of wonderkids

According to ESPN Argentina, Man Utd are the latest club to be credited with an interest in River Plate wonderkid Franco Mastantuono, who was expected to move to Real Madrid in the summer.

Ultimately, the 17-year-old stayed put and remains fair game for other clubs. It is claimed that Man Utd have been keeping tabs on the teenager for years, but he is far from the only exciting young talent on their radar.

The Red Devils have also been scouting Rosenborg midfielder Sverre Nypan for over 12 months and the youngster has admitted that he would love to eventually play for his favourite club.

Finally, Man Utd are also said to be interested in Sunderland midfielder Chris Rigg. All three are already regular fixtures at their respective clubs despite being just 17 years of age.

Perhaps they will be donning the famous red shirt before long...