Manchester United have opted against offering a contract to teenage midfielder Mouhamed Dabo following a trial period at the club, as manager Ruben Amorim continues to shape his squad ahead of the January transfer window.
United Pass on Senegalese Prospect
The 17-year-old Senegalese youth international spent time training with United earlier this season after being identified by the club's scouting network. Despite reportedly making a positive impression, the Red Devils have decided not to pursue a deal for Dabo.
The youngster has since secured his immediate future by signing a pre-contract agreement with Croatian second-division side NK Kustošija. Dabo recently featured for Senegal at the Under-17 World Cup, where his team reached the Round of 32 before being eliminated by Uganda.
Even if United had been interested, regulations would have prevented the club from signing Dabo to a professional contract until next summer, when he turns 18. The decision not to pursue Dabo may have been influenced by the impending arrival of another teenage talent.
Midfield Recruitment Strategy Takes Shape
United have already agreed a deal to sign 17-year-old Colombian midfielder Cristian Orozco, who will join for an initial fee of $1 million (approximately £750,000) when he turns 18 next summer. It is believed that Orozco's signing, along with the recent acquisitions of other young internationals like Diego Leon and Sekou Kone, contributed to the choice not to offer Dabo a contract, as they are seen to occupy similar positions.
This activity highlights the club's ongoing strategy of scouring the global market for emerging talent. However, the immediate focus for the first team remains on securing a more established midfielder in January.
Amorim is said to be keen to strengthen his engine room after a failed attempt to sign Carlos Baleba from Brighton last summer. The Seagulls' valuation, believed to be in excess of £100 million, proved a significant barrier. Other names persistently linked with a move to Old Trafford include Crystal Palace's Adam Wharton, Wolves' João Gomes, and Sporting CP's Morten Hjulmand.
Kobbie Mainoo's Uncertain Role
The pursuit of new midfield options further clouds the future of England international Kobbie Mainoo at Manchester United. The academy graduate has found first-team opportunities severely limited under Amorim this season.
Mainoo's sole start came in the Carabao Cup defeat to Grimsby Town in August, and he has accumulated just 171 minutes of Premier League action. His hopes of securing a place in England's squad for the upcoming World Cup are thought to hinge on whether he can secure a loan move in January to gain regular playing time.
Reports indicate that United rejected a loan request from Mainoo in the summer, but interest from clubs across Europe, including Napoli, remains for a potential temporary switch this winter. When questioned about Mainoo's lack of minutes, Amorim has been steadfast in his team selections.
"I just want to win," the United boss stated. "I don't look [at] who it is, I don't care about that, I'm just trying to put the best players on the pitch." He acknowledged the public sentiment but defended his choices, adding, "You love Kobbie. He starts for England. But that doesn't mean that I need to put Kobbie [in] when I feel that I shouldn't."
As the January window approaches, United's decisions in the transfer market will have significant implications for both their immediate squad depth and the development pathway for their young talents.
