Man Utd are taking a look at the talented teenager as they look to make another addition at youth level.
Manchester United have taken teenage winger Etienne Mendy on trial in their latest efforts to recruit potential future first-team stars.
The 17-year-old forward has been invited to train at Carrington after his recent exploits for Senegal at the U17 Africa Cup of Nations, where he helped them reach the quarter-finals. He was identified as one of Senegal's three brightest prospects after the tournament and described as 'a good dribbler and hard-hitting player, who has everything a modern wide player needs.'
That praise was added to by Senegalese reporter Mounir Sonko, who said: “Etienne Mendy is impressive. He’s an extraordinarily effective dribbler, a very good player in the last 30 meters, and has excellent technical skills.”
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Given he is still only 17, Mendy would not be allowed to join United until he turns 18 in July next year, though they could reach a pre-transfer agreement if he were to impress during the trial period. United did similar when they agreed to sign Diego Leon from Cerro Porteno at the start of the year when he was still 17, before he made his move official in the summer transfer window.
Mendy was allowed to come to Manchester on trial by Diambars FC, an academy club in Senegal who could benefit enormously if he were to eventually move to Europe.
United completed the signing of Sekou Kone from Malian side Guidars FC on the transfer deadline day of the summer window last year, for an initial fixed fee in the region of £1.2 million, with several performance-related add-ons also included.
A club source described the 18-year-old as a 'bold signing' after the club's new football leadership and recruitment team backed the recommendation of the club’s international scouting network. Kone was considered a future first-team signing who would need plenty of time to adapt to his new surroundings and any deal for Mendy could be similar.
United first scouted Kone at the U17 World Cup last year and fought off strong competition from Red Bull Salzburg for his signature.
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