The winger following in Sancho’s footsteps at Dortmund, Birmingham’s next prodigy after Bellingham and the EFL starlet compared to Carrick… The young British talent Man United could target as Sir Jim Ratcliffe plans transfer shake-up
- Ratcliffe wants to prioritise homegrown talents when he arrived at Man United
- Ivan Toney and Marc Guehi have been linked but here’s some younger options
- Sir Jim Ratcliffe could be Erik ten Hag’s biggest threat – Listen to why on It’s All Kicking Off
Manchester United want to buy the best of British when Sir Jim Ratcliffe takes control of football operations at Old Trafford.
The petrochemicals billionaire is closing in on his £1.3billion deal to buy 25 per cent of the club from the Glazers and looks set to make some significant changes when it comes to recruitment.
As Mail Sport exclusively revealed, United will prioritise homegrown talents as part of a new strategy designed to propel them back to the pinnacle of English and European football.
Since Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013, just seven of United’s major signings have been homegrown: Luke Shaw, Harry Maguire, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Daniel James, Jadon Sancho, Mason Mount and Jonny Evans.
The new approach explains why United want to appoint a sporting director with knowledge of the domestic market, such as Paul Mitchell, Dougie Freedman or Michael Edwards.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe is set to assume control of football operations at Manchester United
Just seven of United’s major signings since his departure are British, including Harry Maguire
The club are keen to secure the signature of Brentford’s Ivan Toney – but face stiff competition from Premier League rivals Arsenal and Chelsea
Marc Guehi has the potential to become a regular at the heart of the England back line
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United have already been linked with the England and Brentford striker Ivan Toney, but will face competition from Arsenal and Chelsea.
They are also interested in Crystal Palace centre-back Marc Guehi – who has impressed for England in recent appearances – but he will cost them at least £60million.
United have also been linked with England captain Harry Kane and midfielder Declan Rice in recent times before their respective moves to Bayern Munich and Arsenal.
Attention could well turn instead to the younger generation of British talent and we take a look at some of those who may appear on United’s radar in the future.
Jarrad Branthwaite
21, Everton and England under-21, centre-back
Already on United’s wishlist if some reports are to be believed, even if he recently agreed a new Everton contract through until 2027.
Valued at around £50m already, Branthwaite has been a key component of Everton’s steady improvement under Sean Dyche – before their 10-point deduction wiped out most of the gains.
The 6ft 5in defender, who came through at Carlisle United, is commanding, fast and useful from set-piece situations down the other end.
He was part of the England under-21 team who won the European Championship back in the summer.
Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite steals in ahead of United’s Harry Maguire in last weekend’s match
Samuel Iling-Junior
20, Juventus and England under-21 left winger
Iling-Junior spent nine years in Chelsea’s academy as a kid and was coveted by a raft of leading European clubs when he decided to move on in 2020.
Juventus won that race and the winger cracked the first-team last season, scoring his first goal for the Italian giants on his first start.
He’s another of the increasing number of young English players emerging who recognise international success, having won the Under-19 Euros in 2022.
Juventus are apparently willing to sell Iling-Junior in January, with Tottenham among those linked.
Samuel Iling-Junior in action for Juventus – they could sell the 20-year-old winger in January
Jamie Bynoe-Gittens
19, Borussia Dortmund and England under-21, winger
This talented teenager is becoming absolutely impossible to ignore.
In the past week, he scored and supplied an assist as Dortmund beat Borussia Monchengladbach 4-2 in the Bundesliga and then did the same as they won 3-1 at AC Milan in the Champions League.
The former Manchester City academy player very much followed in the footsteps of Jadon Sancho by opting to continue his development at Dortmund.
Overcoming the difficulties of the Covid lockdowns and a torn ligament injury, Bynoe-Gittens fought his way to the Dortmund first team and now his value is skyrocketing.
Of course the big question is whether United, stung by what’s happened with Sancho, would go back to that particular well again.
Jamie Bynoe-Gittens celebrates scoring for Borussia Dortmund against AC Milan in the week
Hayden Hackney
21, Middlesbrough and England under-21, midfielder
The EFL has been a superb proving ground for young players in recent times with a good few in Gareth Southgate’s England squad indebted to League clubs for their football education.
Middlesbrough’s Hackney is one of the Championship’s players to watch and it’s little surprise the midfielder has thrived under the tutelage of ex-United star Michael Carrick.
There are definite parallels between the two with Hackney’s confidence in his passing ability and metronomic consistency.
He’s come into the England under-21 fold this season but can also represent Scotland.
England under-21 international Hayden Hackney has been compared to Michael Carrick
Adam Wharton
19, Blackburn Rovers and England under-20, midfielder
Financial pressures have given Blackburn manager Jon Dahl Tomasson little option but to place heavy faith in youth as they push for Championship promotion.
But the plus side of that has been the emergence of gems like Wharton, who was unsurprisingly Rovers’ young player of last season after a breakthrough campaign.
Strong with both feet, Wharton is adept at breaking up opposition moves and he doesn’t shirk a tackle, which is an essential quality in the Championship.
Has just progressed into England’s under-20 team and should have a bright future ahead.
Adam Wharton strides away from an opponent while in Championship action for Blackburn
Josh Doig
21, Hellas Verona and Scotland Under-21, left midfield/defender
Another to take up an opportunity in Europe, Scotland international Doig has established himself in Serie A following a £3m move from Hibernian in July 2022.
He’s a versatile player, moving effortlessly from centre-back to left-back and then to more of a left midfielder since coming to Hellas Verona.
As is required of the modern wide player, the 21-year-old knows how to get up and down the park and it’ll be interesting to see whether his performances in Italy lead to bigger things.
A Scotland under-21 international, Doig was called into the Scotland squad again last month but hasn’t played yet.
Scotland’s Josh Doig celebrates scoring a goal for Hellas Verona – he moved to Italy last year
Aaron Hickey
21, Brentford and Scotland, full-back
As Scotland look forward to Euro 2024, it looks like Hickey will have a prominent part to play.
He’s already established as a Premier League performer with Brentford and it’s little surprise that United, Liverpool and Arsenal – as well as Bayern Munich – are monitoring his progress.
Not that Brentford want to lose him cheaply, with a £50m price tag mentioned. Hickey’s value comes from being able to play on the left or the right-side of defence.
United haven’t always got it spot-on with their full-back purchases – Shaw aside – but they may do better with Hickey.
Aaron Hickey takes on Chelsea during Brentford’s win at Stamford Bridge back in October
Jordan James
19, Birmingham City and Wales, midfielder
Anyone coming through at St Andrew’s now, especially midfielders, will inevitably be compared to Jude Bellingham.
Jordan James will have to deal with that and isn’t doing a bad job. Wales manager Rob Page recently said: ‘He reads the game well, he’s athletic, he likes a tackle, he can pass the ball, he can head it… he ticks a lot of boxes; he has got everything.’
Having only made his senior Wales debut in March, James already has eight caps, while the 19-year-old has played 76 times for his club.
If United are keen, they might be able to twist the arm of legend and Blues manager Wayne Rooney.
Jordan James celebrates scoring for Birmingham City against Sheffield Wednesday last week
AND ONE IRISHMAN…
Evan Ferguson
19, Brighton and Hove Albion and Republic of Ireland, striker
Stepping out of the British Isles and over the Irish Sea, it’s very clear than Brighton’s Evan Ferguson is on track for special things.
The Republic of Ireland international is still in his teens but has already been linked with a move to Old Trafford and is known to be a United fan.
Ferguson already has 16 Brighton goals, proving he can cut it in the Premier League and there seems to be universal praise for his abilities.
He won’t come cheap, though. Brighton don’t sell their assets cheaply.
Brighton’s young Irish hotshot Evan Ferguson has been linked with a move to Old Trafford
IT’S ALL KICKING OFF!
It’s All Kicking Off is an exciting new podcast from Mail Sport that promises a different take on Premier League football.
It is available on MailOnline, Mail+, YouTube, Apple Music and Spotify.
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