KEY POINTS

  • The 16-year-old made his debut for the Under-18 side on Saturday.
  • Manchester City and Juventus were said to be tracking the midfielder.

Manchester United have finally been able to confirm the signing 16-year-old French talent Aliou Traore.

Traore, who left Paris Saint-Germain's academy in August 2016, was playing for amateur side Sarcelles last term before he was invited to United's training base at Carrington on a trial basis.

Read more

At that time, French publication Le Parisien reported both Juventus and Manchester City also had the player in their sights, but it was reported back in June that United had seen off that interest and agreed a three-year contract with the powerful midfielder.

The France Under-17 international was invited to join Kieran McKenna's Under-18 side on their pre-season tour of Austria and in July pictures emerged of the player signing a contract with the Premier League.

United went on to announce a host of new arrivals at youth level as part of a revamp at academy level, including 16-year-old Spanish talent Arnau Puigmal, but have only now confirmed Traore's arrival, making the announcement while the senior side were in action against Arsenal on Saturday (2 December).

Traore made his debut for United's Under-18 side on Saturday against Wolves in the Under-18 Premier League Cup with his coach McKenna already impressed with what he has seen from him.

"Traore is a boy we have been looking at for a while," McKenna told MUTV. "He is a really powerful midfielder who likes to run box to box. He is very strong technically and is improving all the time.

"He is a nice man and his English is improving. He is settling in well with the boys and has taken to the club really well."

Overseen by head of academy Nicky Butt, United have upped their efforts to secure the most talented young players from the United Kingdom and abroad over the last year. Among those to sign for the club this summer are former Chelsea youngster Di-Shon Bernard and Northern Ireland Under-17 captain Ethan Galbraith, with 16-year-old Largie Ramazani also arriving from Charlton Athletic.

Manchester United FC Manchester City FC Premier League