Man Utd target two teenage wonderkids after Ratcliffe's Mbappe comment

FT Desk

• Updated: 20 Mar 2024 08:35 CDT
• 3 min read

Manchester United are lining up bids for two top teenage talents as the club pivots its transfer policy towards unearthing new young gems.

One positive during another uneven season for the Red Devils has been the emergence of a fresh generation of talent.

Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo have both established themselves as regular first-teamers at 19 and 18 years old respectively, with the latter earning a call-up from England in March to face Brazil and Belgium.

READ MORE: Latest Man Utd transfer news

Manager Erik ten Hag also saw his decision to bring 21-year-old Amad Diallo off the bench against Liverpool pay off handsomely last weekend after the Ivorian scored a memorable winner in the final minutes of extra time to send the Reds through to the FA Cup semi-finals.

And now, the focus at Old Trafford appears to be firmly fixed on the future.

The wonderkids on United's radar

According to the Daily Mail two teens are at the top of the club's transfer wishlist.

The newspaper reports that Ipswich Town striker Silva Mexes and Wolves' Wesley Okoduwa are both United targets.

Mexes, 14, comes very highly rated and is said to be close to a move, while Okoduwa has already made the bench for Wolves' first team at just 15.

Those moves seem to be in line with recent comments made by new minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who has expressed his preference for nurturing rather than purchasing top talents.

"I would rather try and sign the next Kylian Mbappe, rather than spend a fortune trying to buy success," the businessman told GP Cycling Club.

"It's not that clever buying Mbappe. Anyone can figure that one out.

"What's much more challenging is to find the next Mbappe or the next Bellingham or the next Roy Keane."