Manchester United are planning to add to the academy ranks this summer, with two Manchester City talents, Xavier Parker and Karim Cassim, now being considered.
Despite having one of the best academies in the country, Manchester United wants to bolster the ranks with some impressive talents who could be poached from rivals.
From Liverpool, United look set to sign Vincent Joseph, who is a hugely talented striker who would settle into United’s U18 group for the 2026/27 campaign.
There have also been links with Isaac Konde from Liverpool. United have also shown interest in David Eze of Manchester City.
Now two more City youngsters are on the radar, in both Xavier Parker and Karim Cassim.
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Manchester United considering Xavier Parker and Karim Cassim moves
United are clearly striving to add to the academy this summer after falling at the final hurdle for all three U18 trophies last season.
Recruiting from rivals is a good method, with Parker and Cassim two names now on the agenda.
This is according to the Daily Mail, which reports United are looking at the two 16-year-old talents currently at City.
Parker is an England youth international, having made his mark for City’s U18 side at 15. He is among the finest talents around, and Liverpool are also in for him.
While Cassim is also being looked at, also being an English youth star.
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Who is Xavier Parker?
Parker is a 16-year-old attacking midfielder currently playing for Manchester City at an academy level.
In his debut season as a U18 player, Parker notched up four goals and six assists in just 13 U18 Premier League games.
City signed Parker from West Ham in 2024, and he has lived up to the hype that they thought him worthy of.
Parker is represented by CAA Stellar, who are also Kobbie Mainoo’s agents, which could make the signing easy in that regard, thanks to the pre-existing relationship.
Who is Karim Cassim?
Cassim is also 16 and has recently broken through for City’s U18 side.
While Parker is an attacking midfielder, Cassim is more of a six or an eight, capable of either, and also brings a goal threat with three last season.
Cassim is capped by England at an U17 level, and could be about to really break through next season, and it might even come in red.
These are two really exciting talents that United are just right to be all over.
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