Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim is desperate for a left-footed defensive profile given Lisandro Martinez is set to be absent for most of this year due to an ACL injury and subsequent surgery.
Ayden Heaven was brought in from Arsenal in January and he made his debut against Fulham in the FA Cup, impressing during his 30-minute cameo and the Portuguese tactician must trust him over the error-prone Victor Lindelof.
Amorim clearly wants more and as per Turkish journalist Yağız Sabuncuoğlu, the Red Devils have sent scouts to watch Yusuf Akçiçek in action when Fenerbahçe take on Rangers in the Europa League on Thursday.
“EXCLUSIVE | Manchester United will come to Istanbul to watch Yusuf Akçiçek in the Fenerbahçe-Rangers match,” the journalist wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
Left-footed profile who fits the bill
The 19-year-old has impressed Jose Mourinho enough to earn 13 caps already this season including four starts in the Europa League.
He has helped keep six clean sheets in all competitions, including an impressive performance at the back against arch-rivals Galatasaray where he helped keep Victor Osimhen quiet for 90 minutes.
ÖZEL | Manchester United, Fenerbahçe-Rangers maçında Yusuf Akçiçek’i izlemek için İstanbul’a geldi.
— Yağız Sabuncuoğlu (@yagosabuncuoglu) March 6, 2025
The Turkiye U19 international also has two goals and one assist this season, which highlights how dangerous he can be at both ends of the pitch.
Akçiçek has even been used as a right-back and defensive midfielder which highlights his positional flexibility, even though his future lies at the heart of the defence.
His performances have naturally attracted the interest of European heavyweights with Tottenham Hotspur, Bayern Munich and Bayer Leverkusen among his suitors.
Mourinho clearly likes the young ace
The Spurs scouts were left disappointed when they attended Fener’s win over Antalyaspor last Sunday with their former boss opting to leave Akcicek on the bench.
Whether he takes the same step against another of his former clubs in United on Thursday remains to be seen.
The Istanbul-born wonderkid came up through the ranks at Galatasaray before joining Fenerbahce last summer. His current contract is valid until 2028.
Under INEOS, United have shown willingness to bet big on young talents and it will be interesting to see if a future move is on the cards.
Feature image Ahmad Mora via Getty Images
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Ayantan Chowdhury
Ayantan has worked for 10 years in the Indian sports media industry, writing for the biggest newspapers and websites but his heart was always set on writing about his favourite club. Currently an editor at The Peoples Person. You can follow him on X: @ayantanc_25
