Manchester United have their own Jamal Musiala on the books in the shape of academy starlet Noah Ajayi.
Back in 2018, Manchester United rejected the chance to sign Jamal Musiala and he has since gone on to become one of the brightest young talents in Europe.
Musiala was at Chelsea at the time, but he left in 2019 to join German giants Bayern Munich, where he has developed into a superstar.
Noah Ajayi is one of United’s most exciting prospects, and there are some interesting similarities between the 17-year-old and where Musiala was at in the same stage of his career.
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Noah Ajayi’s Germany call-up has shades of Jamal Musiala
On the international stage, Musiala has starred for Germany, winning the Golden Boot in Euro 2024.
But Musiala started out in England’s youth ranks before deciding to represent Germany in 2021.
Ajayi was called up to Germany’s U18s over the March international break and impressed on his debut. He now has the chance to follow in the footsteps of Musiala.
However, Ineos must make sure that, unlike Musiala, Noah Ajayi stays put at United to continue his exciting progression to the first team.
Like Musiala, Ajayi was born in Germany but moved to England at a young age. “I moved to England with my parents to play football here at Manchester and to finish my schooling,” Ajayi explained.
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Noah Ajayi is Man United’s FA Youth Cup star
The likes of JJ Gabriel and Chido Obi have become household names among United fans because of their exciting potential, but it is Ajayi who has been leading United’s charge in the FA Youth Cup this season.
United beat Sunderland 3-2 in the FA Youth Cup quarter-final, and Ajayi was voted Man of the Match at Old Trafford.
Ajayi stole the limelight from JJ Gabriel in the FA Youth Cup, and he is closing in on a first-team breakthrough.
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United’s summer pre-season tour could be a golden opportunity for Ajayi to prove to coaching staff that he is ready for a first-team opportunity in 2026/27.
Ajayi plays predominantly as a left-winger but has also spent time as a centre-forward in United’s youth academy.
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