Club reveals stance on 17-year-old Man United target after stunning solo goal in front of Manchester United scouts

Club reveals stance on 17-year-old Man United target after stunning solo goal in front of Manchester United scouts

Manchester United are set to swoop for a striker in the summer.

Baylee Dipepa in action for Port Vale
Port Vale striker Baylee Dipepa has been linked with Manchester United

Manchester United’s hunt for a new striker is set to take them in a number of different directions this summer – and could see them look at the lower leagues.

United’s need for more firepower is evident. While they spent big on Rasmus Hojlund last July, the Dane has had a mixed first season at Old Trafford.

Hojlund’s return so far has been 13 goals in all competitions, with a run of seven goals in six successive games punctuating barren spells as he gets to grips with the pace of the Premier League after his move from Serie A side Atalanta. The 21-year-old has shown great promise, but also needs support.

Erik ten Hag admitted to the Manchester Evening News that United are already making plans to sign a forward in the summer to replace Anthony Martial.

The Frenchman is out of contract at the end of the season, and will be leaving Old Trafford after nine fruitless and uninspiring seasons.

Man United have been linked with a host of big-money strikers, including Victor Osihmen, Harry Kane, Ivan Toney and even Kylian Mbappe, regardless of how unlikely most of those are to turn up in Manchester.

And, having put their faith in Hojlund, an expensive punt on another striker isn’t a good use of money when there are other areas of the squad that need strengthening.

New co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has already revealed that United’s approach in the transfer market may be different to previous styles. When asked about potentially bidding for Mbappe, he said:

“I would rather sign the next Mbappe rather than spend a fortune buying success. It’s not that clever buying Mbappe. Anyone could figure that one out. More challenging is to find the next Mbappe or next Bellingham or next Roy Keane.”

One youngster who United are believed to have scouted is Port Vale teenager Baylee Dipepa.

The 17-year-old forward have been getting rave notices in League One despite Vale’s struggles, and scored another sensational solo goal on Saturday at home to Exeter City.

The youngster gathered the ball on the touchline, weaved past several players and into the box before his left-foot shot found the net.

It followed up on another great individual strike last month against Bristol Rovers, as United scouts watched on.

The England U17 forward has also shone on the international stage this season for the Three Lions with three goals in three games.

Valiants chief executive Matt Hancock has admitted that they may struggle to hold on to the player, but says they haven’t had any approaches yet for the teenager, who is under contract until 2026.