Manchester United are continuing to look to South America for potential signings, and have spotted a couple of players of interest.
South America is a hotbed of talent that Manchester United have failed to utilize to strengthen the squad in recent years.
United are close to tying up a deal for Paraguayan wonderkid Diego Leon from Cerro Porteno, and the club’s scouts are not resting there.
The Red Devils are tracking a talented young midfielder, Christian Ordonez.
Who is Christian Ordonez
Manchester United are paying close attention to young Argentine midfield dynamo, Christian Ordonez.
United In Focus understands via transfer expert Graeme Bailey that Manchester United scouts have been impressed by the Velez Sarsfield midfielder.
Manchester United representatives plan to continue scouting Christian Ordonez over the coming months, with a view to a future move.
Ordonez, 20, made his Velez Sarsfield debut at 18, in January 2023. He has gone onto play 69 first team appearances.
The youngster is a defensive midfielder who has scored once for his club, and also contributed six assists, capable of playing the box-to-box role.
Ordonez has become a key part of the Velez Sarsfield team who recently triumphed as Argentine Clausura champions.
Speaking this week to El Eco, Ordonez said: “It’s incredible to win a championship with the club that saw you grow up”
Ordonez is a player wanted by Argentine rivals River Plate, River Noticias reported this week. A move to Manchester United would be more lucrative for Velez, and more palatable to their fans.
He is a combative midfielder who has one red card in his career, which came in June after an on-pitch bust-up with former Manchester United striker Edinson Cavani, when Velez took on Boca Juniors.
Ordonez’s current contract at Boca Juniors expires in December 2025. He has not yet been capped by his country.
While there is uncertainty whether Manchester United would act on their interest in January, Ordonez is a player the club are interested in, and that could progress sometime in 2025.
Adding in young competition for Manuel Ugarte would be valuable, amid uncertainty over the futures of Casemiro and Christian Eriksen.
Manchester United keen on Thiago Fernandez
Manchester United’s interest in Christian Ordonez materialised when the club’s scouts were watching winger Thiago Fernandez, United In Focus understands.
Fernandez, 20, is a left winger and regarded as a top talent, scoring five goals and providing six assists during Velez’s title winning campaign.
Yet with one game to go in the season, Fernandez suffered a torn ACL, already undergoing surgery.
He is expected to miss most of 2025. His contract at Velez expires at the end of next year.
TyC Sports had reported Velez were ready to cash in on Fernandez before his injury to solve their financial needs. It’s possible they look to protect his value by offering him a new deal, as he begins his recovery.
In the meantime, Ordonez may become their most saleable asset, and become a potential Manchester United bargain.
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