Manchester United are bolstering the academy ranks this summer after an impressive treble-winning season from the U18s.
The Manchester United academy is at its best in years right now with several impressive talents emerging through the ranks. Recent years have seen Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo come through to become key players.
This will have inspired the current batch of U18s, having seen that Erik ten Hag will give them a chance if they are good enough, and a handful are already knocking on the door.
But not to be content with this, the club are making moves in the market to strengthen at the academy level, a move which has already seen new faces arrive at Carrington.
Now, it seems Jason Wilcox and co are looking to poach an exciting winger from Crystal Palace’s academy.
Manchester United closing in on Samuel Lusale
Despite having several exciting talents at U16 and U18 level, United are looking to add to the ranks and have identified Crystal Palace forward Samuel Lusale as the perfect man for this.
According to a report from Manchester Evening News, Lusale is close to making the move to Carrington from Copers Cope.
The winger who is currently 16, represents Slovakia at U17 international level and was involved in Palace’s FA Youth Cup squad last season.
Lusale is a highly-rated prospect at Palace and will be a coup for United to sign up this summer.
The teenager will join Camron Mpofu, Silva Mexes and James Overy in joining the United Academy this summer in what looks to be a healthy new batch of prospects for Adam Lawrence to work with.
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Who is United target Samuel Lusale?
While Ineos are busy on the transfer front, it’s encouraging to see that they are also paying attention to the youth squads, from which some United greats have emerged.
Lusale is a right winger by trade and made eight U18 appearances for the Eagles last season. Turning 17 in September, it’s expected he will be playing a more frequent role for United this coming season but has fierce competition on the right.
Bendito Mantato will be his main competitor, with Shea Lacey expected to move up to U21 football.
Already a player represented by Jay-Z’s agency, Roc Nation, Lusale is clearly a player with a lot of potential. The Roc Nation site reviews Lusale as a “quick, dynamic winger who is regarded as one of the most exciting attacking players” in the country.
“His electrifying pace and direct running with the ball makes him a constant threat to the opposition defence. He is often the source of goals and assists for his team.”
An exciting prospect and we can’t wait to see him in action if/when he joins.