Manchester United continue to scout for top talents from around the world, and another is getting his chance to impress.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe once said he would rather find the ‘next Kylian Mbappe’ for Manchester United than splash out a club record fee to sign one.
The problem is trying to identify a superstar with Mbappe-level talent, and the mindset to succeed, and not end up in Mexico 10 years later like Anthony Martial.
United took a step towards this last summer by hiring renowned talent spotter Christopher Vivell.
The club have since added rising stars from Africa and South America among others, Sekou Kone and Diego Leon.
Now another player has come in for a closer look, with a view to a future deal.
Christopher Vivell (right) with Dominic Tedesco at RB Leipzig
Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images
Etienne Mendy on trial at Man Utd
Manchester United have taken Senegalese wonderkid Etienne Mendy on trial, according to two sources.
13 Football reports: “After Sidi Barhama Ndiaye to Liverpool, another youngster from Diambars attracts an English club. It’s Etienne Mendy. The right winger, international U16 is currently on trial at Manchester United.”
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Scouts Attending also report United currently have Mendy on trial at the club.
Etienne Mendy, what you need to know
Etienne Mendy is 17-year-old and will be eligible to transfer to Manchester United in summer 2026.
Mendy plays for Diambars FC, an academy in Senegal. United signed Kone from an academy in his native Mali last year for £1.25 million.
He played for Senegal at the under-17 African Cup of Nations this past summer, with his country eliminated on penalties in the quarter-finals.
Africa Foot picked Mendy out as one of Senegal’s top three prospects, with raw talent, just needing to develop physically.
They describe: “A good dribbler and hard-hitting player, Etienne has everything a modern wide player needs.”
Senegalese analyst Mounir Sonko adds: “Etienne Mendy is impressive. He’s an extraordinarily effective dribbler, a very good player in the last 30 meters, and has excellent technical skills.”
United could strike an advance deal similar to the one with Diego Leon, that would see Mendy arrive next year, or even sign him in January and loan him to Lausanne in Switzerland, which Ineos also own.