Photo by Guillermo Legaria - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images
Photo by Guillermo Legaria - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images
Manchester United have been linked with a move to sign Gambian teenage star Omar Marong, alongside several other clubs. Here is what you need to know about the midfielder.
The midfield department is arguably Manchester United’s strongest position within the academy ranks, but Christopher Vivell and the recruitment team are always looking to bolster the talents, and Omar Marong is the latest name identified as a possible signing.
The 16-year-old has plenty of suitors, but reporter Pete O’Rourke has claimed that United are among the top European sides tracking Marong’s development right now. With contact reportedly already made over a future move to ward off rivals. But what do we need to know about the wonderkid from Gambia?
Who is Manchester United target Omar Marong?
Omar Marong is a 16-year-old central midfielder from the TMT Football Academy in Gambia, and he has risen to prominence, having captained the Gambian U17 side to success at the WAFU Zone A U-17 tournament held in Senegal this month.
Marong is a tall and athletic central midfield player, but his qualities beyond physical remain largely secretive, given the limited coverage of the football at his level.
At 16, Marong can’t actually move to Manchester United for a few years, until he turns 18 in the coming seasons. But with Europe’s elite in the race, there will be massive competition, and so agreeing a pre-contract would be the smart call from United.
United view Marong as a huge talent for the future, which is alone reason to get excited. Marong would be following in the footsteps of Sekou Kone as another huge talent from the African continent to join United at 18.