Manchester United wonderkid Noah Ajayi has been on the rise this calendar year, coming into his own, hitting new heights for club and potentially country.
Under the lights at Old Trafford, Noah Ajayi stole the show during Manchester United’s 3-2 win over Sunderland in the FA Youth Cup, scoring the opener, which was a brilliant strike.
Ajayi proved he is among United’s finest talents, arguably on the biggest stage of his career, as he upstaged what was supposed to be the JJ Gabriel show to impress everyone.
Now, Ajayi is set to be rewarded for his meteoric rise as Germany takes notice.
Noah Ajayi will be Manchester United’s next attacking academy graduate… Do you agree?
Noah Ajayi playing for Man Utd u18s
Photo by Poppy Townson – MUFC/Manchester United via Getty Images
NOAH AJAYI in action for Manchester United
Photo by James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images
Noah Ajayi gets called into the German U19 squad
While Ajayi is beginning to bang on the door of Michael Carrick’s first-team for opportunities, there is an intercontinental fight going on for his commitment.
This is between Nigeria and Germany, who both want Ajayi to represent their nations during his career. He moved to Manchester from Hamburg when he was 10, and so is eligible for Germany through birthright and Nigeria through his father.
Now, according to The Sun, Germany has moved into pole position in this race by offering the 17-year-old winger a call-up to the under-19 squad for the very first time.
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If Ajayi features for Die Mannschaft, he would be cap-tied and would therefore require a change of association formally if he changed his mind.
It’s no surprise to see Germany’s keenness on locking down Ajayi and getting him in the fold, considering he is a shooting star right now, likely to continue getting better.
Ajayi’s status could grow further in the coming months, as the report adds that the 6ft 2in winger could be considered for this summer’s pre-season tour, given the impact of senior players being at the World Cup.
Who was Man United’s man of the match against Sunderland in FA Youth Cup win?
Brilliant performance from the youngsters… but who was best?
Jacob Devaney and Jack Moorhouse get Republic of Ireland U21 call
Ajayi isn’t the only player to be bound for national duty this month, with Republic of Ireland duo Jacob Devaney and Jack Moorhouse also getting calls.
The two midfielders have been drafted into Jim Crawford’s under-21 side to take on Moldova and Kazakhstan in European Championship qualifiers.
Devaney was a star for Ireland earlier this season, when he dominated England’s under-21 midfield, including Jobe Bellingham.
The 18-year-old has been in excellent form for St. Mirren, where he is finishing this campaign on loan and could have an outside chance of earning a place in the senior team for a hypothetical World Cup.
Meanwhile, Jack Moorhouse returned from loan at Leyton Orient in January and has since been playing for the under-21s and training with the senior side, featuring on the bench once or twice.
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