Manchester United’s list of midfield targets for 2026 continues to get longer, and now a wonderkid compared with Scott McTominay is being considered.
This season has seen the midfield become the clear and obvious position needing reinforcement for Manchester United, and Ineos are already making efforts to strengthen.
United have been linked with countless midfielders, ranging in ages and styles, although it seems fairly certain that the top target in the summer of 2026 will be Elliot Anderson.
Are you confident Ruben Amorim is the right head coach for Man Utd?
However, in January, United are linked with a move for Joao Gomes, which would cost £44m but be an immediate improvement.
But now a more long-term option is on the target list of Ineos.
Assan Ouedraogo running with the ball for RB Leipzig.
Photo by RONNY HARTMANN / AFP via Getty Images
Manchester United scouts are already watching Assan Ouedraogo
While the success of Bryan Mbeumo has made Premier League proven Ineos’ priority, signing young talents won’t have the same checklist, which explains why most midfield targets abroad are wonderkids.
Now, it has been claimed by the German journalist Florian Plettenberg that Assan Ouedraogo is back on the radar for United.
More United News
This comes after United missed out on Ouedraogo in 2024, but now, Ineos, alongside Chelsea, are scouting the 19-year-old.
The journalist explains that Premier League clubs are crazy about Ouedraogo ahead of a summer 2026 swoop following his immense start to this season.
Ouedraogo has scored three and assisted three for RB Leipzig this season, and his FBRef profile has Scott McTominay as a similar player, which would be music to United fans’ ears.
McTominay would be perfect for Amorim’s system, and so would Ouedraogo, as he stands at 6ft 3in, is creative, strong and also excellent in the box.
Assan Ouedraogo has been hit with injury amid United links
Signing Ouedraogo would have similarities to Benjamin Sesko, having first refused United as a teenager before making the move when he is slightly older with more experience.
However, any chance of Ouedraogo being a January addition has just been slashed with Plettenberg revealing on Tuesday that the midfielder is now injured.
Would you like Manchester United to sign Assan Ouedraogo? ð©ðª
Assan Ouedraogo shouts in celebration.
Photo by RONNY HARTMANN / AFP via Getty Images
Ouedraogo has suffered a tendon injury in the back of his left knee, and this will see him out of action until the middle of January at the earliest, with a seven-week recovery time frame.
It will be interesting to see how he bounces back from this setback and whether he can have as good a second part of the season as he has from August until his injury now.
If he does, Ouedraogo could very easily be a United player next season, and it would be a very exciting signing.