Manchester United have signed two first team players this summer transfer window, adding Joshua Zirkzee and Leny Yoro.
Efforts are ongoing to add more players for the first team squad, and more players will arrive before the end of the transfer window.
One of the impressive aspects of the Ineos regime is they are planning long-term, and not just looking at quick fixes.
Zirkzee, 23, and Yoro, 18, are outstanding prospects – and Ineos are thinking a further step ahead, recruiting half a team of academy wonderkids too.
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Manchester United are signing six young players
Manchester United have finalised or are in the process of completing deals for six players, who are among the best in England.
This is not 2020, when United could raid the academies at Real Madrid, Barcelona and Atletico Madrid. Brexit rules have made UK scouting more important.
Let’s go through the deals, with United strengthening for the future, showing a real determination to unearth the next first team gems.
Dante Plunkett: Dante Plunkett confirmed his move to Manchester United at the start of the summer.
Plunkett is a talented full-back who went on trial with United at the end of last season after deciding to quit Aston Villa. He has signed a scholarship deal with the Red Devils, joining the likes of Amir Ibrahimov and Bendito Mantato.
Silva Mexes: Silva Mexes is the son of former Wales international striker Robert Earnshaw.
Silva Mexes, 14, joins from Ipswich Town and was rated as one of the best young strikers in the country. Mexes’ speed is among his attributes, he already claimed to be able to run 100 metres in 11.1 seconds.
Camron Mpofu: Another striker, Manchester United have snapped up Scotland youth international Camron Mpofu.
Mpofu joins from Reading. At just 15, he is a year older than Mexes, and is a year away from a scholarship deal. If he shows good progress this season, keep an eye on him getting minutes with the under-18s.
James Overy: James Overy is a full-back who was born in Australia, who is also eligible to play for England.
Overy was playing for Perth Glory, before signing with Newton Abbott Spurs in the UK. From there he was spotted by Manchester United and has been snapped up. Overy’s deal is currently subject to international clearance.
Chido Obi-Martin: The best under-18s striker in the UK, Chido Obi-Martin netted 32 games in 19 appearances for Arsenal last season.
He has quit the Gunners, blaming their development pathway, and agreed to join Manchester United.
Obi-Martin is only 16, yet United are ready for him to become the club’s third choice striker, with Ruud van Nistelrooy playing a part in the recruitment process.
- READ: Who is Chido Obi-Martin? Wonderkid who has left Arsenal to join Manchester United move
Samuel Lusale: After missing out on Michael Olise, Manchester United have moved to sign a younger, cheaper Crystal Palace winger from their academy.
Samuel Lusale, 16, is set to join, a Slovakia youth international who is eligible for England too. He will go into the under-18s squad.
Both the Lusale and Obi-Martin deals are subject to Premier League ratification.
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Manchester United already had the best academy in England
Manchester United are not building the academy from scratch, the club already boasts the best under-18s side in England.
Last season United won the Premier League Cup, the under-18s North, and the North vs South play-off, completing a treble.
Harry Amass was among the stars, he has stepped up impressively on the pre-season tour, while Toby Collyer has also impressed after making the leap from the under-21s.
Erik ten Hag is a manager who places faith in youth, with teenagers Kobbie Mainoo and Alejandro Garnacho starring and scoring in the 2024 FA Cup win.
United just need one of this group of six to be a success to make it all worth it. Ineos’ intention is to build a dynasty, to try and achieve long-term success.
- READ: Meet Manchester United’s 2023/24 under-18s title winning wonderkids
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