Manchester United’s recruitment of youngsters from across the globe has yet to be proven successful, but this summer could be decisive.
Since Ineos took charge of the footballing operations at Manchester United, there has been a push to recruit wonderkids worldwide, as Sir Jim Ratcliffe searches for the next Kylian Mbappe.
This recruitment drive has seen United spend £1m on Sekou Kone in 2024, with promising signs yet to see him make good on his potential.
Last summer, Diego Leon joined United for £3.2m from Paraguayan side Cerro Porteno, and he has faced a steep learning curve this season in U21 football.
Now, the next steps for both are being weighed up.
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Manchester United’s plan for Diego Leon and Sekou Kone
Neither of these signings have panned out as expected so far, and the 2025/26 season is one they will both be happy to put behind them.
Kone has struggled for minutes on loan at Lausanne, while Leon hasn’t looked up to scratch in the U21 side.
Now, according to the Manchester Evening News, plans are being formulated for both this summer.
“Kone has had a difficult loan at Lausanne Sport in the second half of the season and continues to struggle with injuries. He hasn’t really built up much momentum at United and doesn’t look physically ready for a first-team role. Another loan next year looks likely.
“Leon has had a season settling in at United, but if a new left-back is signed his immediate path to more first-team opportunities will be limited. He could get his first experience out on loan next season.”
This is probably the right call for both, but a loan needs to be better planned than usual United loans.
But they should be, because United have appointed a new loan manager in the form of Gareth Whalley from City, which should see these drastically improved.
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Manchester United will welcome Cristian Orozco this summer
Ineos’ next low-cost, low-risk signing will arrive this summer, with Cristian Orozco set to join from Fortaleza in Colombia.
Orozco is only 17, but will join after his 18th birthday this summer, and United will be hoping that he is more of an obvious success for United.
This season has seen Orozco take steps into his senior career, debuting and making a couple of impressive performances for Fortaleza.
Having watched him play a handful of games during the U17 World Cup in November, Orozco looks like a really solid player already. Hopefully, he can continue to excel at United and develop as a player over the next year.
He might even get some chances during pre-season to impress Michael Carrick.
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