Manchester United is reportedly on the verge of signing 16-year-old midfielders David Eze and Karim Cassim from cross-town rivals Manchester City. This potential acquisition aligns with co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe's stated ambition to invest in and secure top young talent before they reach peak market value.
Eze, who has captained England's Under-16 team and is also eligible to represent the Republic of Ireland, is described as a powerful box-to-box midfielder. He has already featured for Manchester City's Under-17 squad. Cassim, meanwhile, played for Manchester City's Under-18 team in their FA Youth Cup triumph last season, a final in which they defeated United. He has also represented England at the Under-17 level, playing alongside emerging United talent JJ Gabriel.
Both Eze and Cassim are expected to join United's age-group teams at the club's Carrington training ground. This approach contrasts with another recent acquisition, winger Tynan Thompson from Tottenham. United agreed a deal for Thompson earlier this week, reported to be worth £4 million plus up to £4 million in add-ons, and he is slated for integration into the senior squad as part of the club's emerging talent development system.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe, upon completing his minority takeover of the club, emphasized a strategic approach to player recruitment. He stated in 2024, "It’s not that clever is it buying (Kylian) Mbappe? Anyone could figure that one out, but what is much more challenging is to find the next Mbappe, or the next (Jude) Bellingham, or the next Roy Keane."