Man Utd's plan for new midfield signing as two transfers agreed for Michael Carrick (original) (raw)
Midfielder Cristian Orozco is set to join Manchester United next month
Manchester United will evaluate Cristian Orozco at Carrington following his arrival from Fortaleza CEIF next month. The midfielder is poised to finalise his switch to United after turning 18.
Orozco will undergo assessment by coaching staff before a development blueprint is made for next season. The likelihood is that Orozco will remain at the club, given he'll need time to acclimatise to fresh surroundings after his move from South America.
Seko Kone and Diego Leon were both in a similar situation when they joined the club, with both spending a campaign with the Under-21s following their arrivals from Mali and Paraguay, respectively. Enzo Kana-Biyik was promptly sent out on loan to Ineos-owned Lausanne Sport, though he came from France.
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Having progressed through Le Havre's academy system, Kana-Biyik already possessed European football experience, which allowed him to be loaned out, while Kone and Leon were afforded time to adjust after arriving from different continents.
Orozco is expected to need a comparable adjustment period as he settles into Manchester life after his Colombian switch. United will arrange English tuition for the teenager, reports the Manchester Evening News.
United could yet opt to loan Orozco out next season. No decisions will be made before his assessment takes place, though the trajectories of Kone and Leon indicate a similar strategy will be adopted. United are acquiring Orozco on the basis that he possesses genuine first-team potential.
The 17-year-old featured in 11 of Fortaleza CEIF's senior squads this season, earning two substitute appearances in Colombia's top flight alongside two starts.
Orozco was brought to Manchester in December for a tour of Carrington and Old Trafford, with the teenager also getting a feel for training alongside United's academy sides during his visit.
United are also closing in on the signing of Atalanta midfielder Ederson. United have reached an agreement with the Italian club for a £35 million fee with £3.8 million in add-ons.
The midfielder still needs to undergo a medical and finalise his move. But that could be delayed by his call-up to the Brazil squad for the World Cup.
United have broadened their academy recruitment net in recent years as a direct result of post-Brexit regulations, which restrict them from bringing in players from across Europe.
The club's ongoing strategy of snapping up highly promising youngsters from overseas is widely regarded as a low-risk, high-reward approach.
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