Manchester United are set for more exciting wonderkid additions this summer after the successes of youth recruitment over the past 12 months.
When Ineos took the helm of footballing operations at Old Trafford, it was immediately clear that youth would be a priority.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe highlighted his desire to sign the next Kylian Mbappe instead of having to spend hundreds of millions on already developed players.
This philosophy was on show during the first two transfer windows, with players like Ayden Heaven, Chido Obi, and Sekou Kone all fitting the bill as having the potential to become top players.
Due to the success of these additions, Manchester United are already planning more deals of this ilk during the 2025 summer transfer window.
Diego Leon is set to join United from Cerro Porteno with a £3.1m initial fee agreed to sign the Paraguayan wonderkid. While United have also agreed to sign French youngster Enzo Kana-Biyik.
Now, United might be looking to recruit two young midfielders from the Championship, and it’s not Chris Rigg and Jobe Bellingham, with the move right up Jason Wilcox’s alley.
Photo by Tullio Puglia - The FA/The FA via Getty Images
Photo by Tullio Puglia – The FA/The FA via Getty Images
Manchester United are interested in signing both Anton and Bailey Palmer
Manchester United have had a number of twins at the club over the years, with Gary and Phil Neville the most notable. While today, Jack and Tyler Fletcher and also Bassirou and Douka Nkoto are twin brothers in the academy ranks.
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Now, United in Focus understands, after being told by transfer expert Graeme Bailey, that Middlesbrough twin wonderkids Anton and Bailey Palmer are attracting interest at Carrington.
“United have an interest in signing the Palmer twins, who are two youngsters from Middlesbrough. Anton and Bailey, two midfielders. They are both 16, with neither yet on a pro deal.
“Chelsea are also interested in the pair, but United have joined the race; they are two very talented players who are available, whom United could go and snatch.”
“Bailey is more attacking, both have Adidas deals, and they’re very highly rated within the club. The pair were both on the bench together for the first team’s 2-1 win over Plymouth but didn’t get on.”
With neither being secured to pro deals, their summer departure is considered likely, and United would have to agree on compensation with Michael Carrick’s side to secure their signings.
Manchester United looking to correct Chris Rigg wrong from 2023
Both Anton and Bailey being secured by Adidas is telling of how they are rated in the game, and the fact United’s former midfield maestro Carrick has already been bedding them into the first team says a lot.
So it is no shock United are in the running, and Ineos could be keen to avoid the mistake United made over Rigg back in 2023.
It was claimed in 2023 that John Murtough refused the chance to sign Chris Rigg for just £3m, a decision which looks awful considering he is promising to become a world-class midfielder.
So signing Anton and Bailey in advance of their likely first team debuts next season, and also beating Premier League rivals to their signatures, makes complete sense.
Hopefully, this is a deal United can push on with, we could end up in a situation where United have a midfield four of two sets of twins, the Fletchers and Palmers.