Manchester United are doing what Jim Ratcliffe 'challenged' them to do in the transfer market

Manchester United have made it the priority to overhaul their midfield next summer and it seems like they are already off to a good start.

Carlos Baleba will remain on their list after initial enquiries over the last window, while Adam Wharton and Elliot Anderson are also of interest in the next stage of their rebuild. It is still uncertain which player United will target for their star midfield role, but with at least two new additions wanted in that area, a player with Premier League experience would make a lot of sense.

First to arrive, though, will be Cristian Orozco. United have reached a preliminary agreement with Fortaleza FC to sign the Colombian defensive midfielder next summer as they continue to build for the future. At the age of 17, the teenage star is not legally allowed to join United until his next birthday in July 2026, but he will make the move to Manchester as soon as he turns 18.

United fans will watch on with great interest when he captains Colombia at the U17 World Cup in Qatar later this year, after helping them finish runners-up in the South American Championship back in April. Orozco will become the latest South American teenager to make the move to Manchester, after Diego Leon joined from Paraguayan club Cerro Porteno in the summer, after he had also signed a pre-transfer agreement at the age of 17.

It is the type of business owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe challenged his side to do as they look at the most cost-effective way of building for long-term success. "I'd rather find the next Mbappe than spend a fortune trying to buy success," Ratcliffe told The Geraint Thomas Cycling Club Podcast last year. "It's not that clever, is it, buying Mbappe, in a way? Anyone could figure that one out. Much more challenging is to find the next Mbappe or Jude Bellingham or the next Roy Keane."

United view South America as an untapped market where there are bargains to be had. In the past, United have been too reactive in the transfer market and looked to spend big on established stars, rather than adopting a proactive approach of signing exciting talent as early as possible which could save them millions in the long run.

Due to post-Brexit rules, they can't sign any overseas players before they turn 18, hence why there has been a focus on signing the best domestic talent to fill their U18s side and looking further afield when it comes to new recruits for the U21s team, who also have genuine first-team credentials.

As well as the deals to sign Leon and Orozco from South America, United also signed Sekou Kone from Malian club Guidars FC and recently welcomed Senegalese teenager Mouhamed Dabo on trial. Though this transfer approach comes from the top in Ratcliffe, it is also being driven by the recruitment team, particularly director of recruitment Christopher Vivell, who worked wonders with Hoffenheim and Red Bull clubs Leipzig and Salzburg to sign cheap, emerging talent.

Though the standards for success will be higher at Old Trafford than they were with his previous clubs, it is a refreshing transfer tactic from United and one that is relatively low-cost with high reward. The ultimate goal is for Orozco, Leon and Kone to become first-team stars, but even if one is sold for a profit, it will have justified their approach.

United might eventually unearth the next Mbappe or Bellingham, though in years to come, other sides might aim to sign the next Orozco instead.

Midfielder signs, new keeper: Manchester United line up next year with new transfer priorities