The senior team at Manchester United continues to lurch from one low to another with every week, but the youth revolution promises a brighter future, which might have a new name soon.
Ineos can be faulted for many things, but one thing they deserve credit for is their proactive youth recruitment from around the world.
From South American acquisitions like Diego Leon or, more recently, Cristian Orozco, to African players like Sekou Kone, the market is being scoured for gems.
Another name could soon be added to that list as a 17-year-old midfield wonderkid has been pictured at Old Trafford. He’s already trained at Carrington.
Mouhamed Dabo pictured at Old Trafford
The African market was a particular specialty of Christopher Vivell when he was a part of the Red Bull sports group.
He is bringing the same level of activity to United, as the club captured Kone last season, and could add Mouhamed Dabo next.
Dabo has been on trial at Man Utd as they assess his quality and suitability for the club, and he has now been pictured at Old Trafford.
United could be launching a charm offensive for Dabo to secure his signature, as he has already trained at Carrington as well.
Here’s a brief summary of who Dabo is as a player and what fans can expect if and when he signs on the dotted line to become a Red Devil.
Mouhamed Dabo profile
Dabo is a 17-year-old Senegalese midfielder who is the captain of the Senegal U17s, a theme that seems to be developing across Ineos’ signings.
The early leadership gene is present in Orozco as well, who is the captain of Colombia’s U-17s.
Like Orozco, Dabo is a midfielder too, but he’s more of an all-action midfielder compared to Orozco, who’s defensive-minded.
Dabo likes to carry the ball from deep and has a thunderous long shot in him, because of which he’s a threat as soon as he reaches near the box.
This ability forces defences to close him down, leaving space behind them which he can exploit with his through balls.
He is happy to receive the ball from his defenders as the first line of midfield, and is able to play it forward with a zip or carry it himself.
Defensively, he can be a bit too rash and eager to win the ball back, but that is something which he can be coached out of, and it also comes with experience.
In terms of a senior comparison, Dabo’s playing style is slightly reminiscent of Yaya Toure.
It goes without saying that Toure is just a comparison for playing style, not a marker of potential, although Dabo’s physical gifts and raw ability could make him a force to be reckoned with.
At 17, he already looks more physically ready than Kone was at 19 last year, which will help him in England if and when he moves.
If polished correctly, United could feasibly have an all-action cornerstone in midfield who is tailor-made for the Premier League.
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