'How can he do that?' - Man Utd 'in the mix' for wonderkid baller lighting up FIFA tournament
Man Utd continue to look further afield for new talent with Mexico’s latest prodigy on Jason Wilcox’s radar.
Every club is on the lookout for the next wonderkid in the hope that they discover a Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi. United minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has already said he is keen for the club to find the ‘next’ Kylian Mbappe rather than signing a current superstar.
If a player is good enough, they are old enough, with Manchester United being linked with a 16-year old prodigy who is lighting football across the pond. With Cristian Orozco confirmed as being a Red Devil, Jason Wilcox and his recruitment team have set their sights on another teenager who could be the next big thing.
Man Utd eye next big thing as scouts keep tabs on Gilberto Mora
With three senior caps for Mexico already, Gilberto Mora is a name on every major club’s shopping list having scored five goals and created one assist in 11 appearances for Club Tijuana in his homeland.
Mora hasn’t just emerged onto the footballing scene in Central America, he has kicked the door down to announce his presence. According to transfer journalist Graeme Bailey, talking to United in Focus, Mora is fully aware of the interest from Old Trafford: “Gilberto Mora is lighting up the U20 World Cup, he went to do the tournament as the most talked about player and he is living up to the billing.
“Three goals and an assist, and every major club has seen him do it. United’s scouts are there, and compiling reports but everyone knows how good he is – it is just confirming what they know. United are in touch with his people, but they are not talking directly about a move to anyone – but United are making sure the player is aware and they are in the mix.”
Mexico teammate stunned by teenage playmaker
The Under-20 World Cup is a hotbed of talent and scouts from around the world will be compiling reports about who could have the potential to develop into a world star. Mora isn’t just impressing the watching scouts, he is also impressing his own teammates with Hugo Camberos stunned at what the little magician is capable of.
"You can expect anything from Gilberto Mora,” said Camberos via ESPN.
“The first time I played a training camp with him, I said, 'How can he do that?' Seeing him grow is a pleasure. Seeing players like that come to Mexico, who believe in us, and we expect anything from him.
“We know each other a little bit, we know the characteristics of everything, and we know how to put together a team."
Mora might not be first team ready if United sign him in the near future, however, Ronaldo wasn’t the player he eventually became when he was 17-years old either and United proved to be the perfect place to learn his craft.