Manchester United hope to beat City to the ‘exceptional’ next Evan Ferguson

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Manchester United believe Mason Melia may be a ‘star in the making’ as the Red Devils battle Man City and Chelsea for the Republic of Ireland wonderkid. 

After falling behind their bitter local rivals in the youth department over the last decade or so, Manchester United might just be clawing back some of the deficit.

Boosted by the presence of a certain first-team coach, United snapped up twins Jack and Taylor Fletcher from City this summer. Harry Amass arrived, too, despite interest from plenty of other big-names.

Kobbie Mainoo also looks set to follow Alejandro Garnacho into Erik ten Hag’s roster when he returns from injury, Carrington once again producing footballers of genuine first-team potential.

Manchester United want Mason Melia

There is a belief among some at United, meanwhile, that teenage forward Mason Melia could potentially emulate the impact of Garnacho and co at the highest level somewhere down the line. The Republic of Ireland U17 is viewed by the Red Devils as a ‘potential star in the making’, TEAMtalk reporting that United are hoping to win the race for his sought-after signature after Melia enjoyed trials at City and Chelsea.

Melia, who was only two months old when Man United signed Owen Hargreaves from Bayern Munich in 2007 (feel old yet?), currently plays for St Patrick’s Athletic across the Irish Sea.

He became the League of Ireland’s youngest ever goalscorer at the age of just 15, and recently enhanced his reputation with a hat-trick for his country’s U17s against Armenia. 

In total, Melia has nine goals in 19 games for ROI at Under 17 level.

Irish reporter Dan McDonnell, meanwhile, believes that a striker some have labelled the second coming of Brighton’s Evan Ferguson is likely to remain at St Pat’s until he turns 18.

Another Evan Ferguson?

“He’s a striker, he is such a talent,” McDonnell tells Off The Ball’s The Football Show.

“And I’ve spoken to people at St. Pat’s about him who say this. Mason Melia is going to be at home here until 2026. He turns 18 in the Autumn of 2025.”

“He’s been exceptional for Sean O’Connor’s team at U19s,” explains St Pat’s coach Jon Daly, speaking to the Irish Independent.

“When you are thinking ‘I need a goal’, I saw him score numerous goals for the U19s. I saw him score against Wexford in the Leinster Senior Cup. I know he can finish, and I know his movement is good.”