Man Utd In Talks With 45-Goal Striker As INEOS Continue Youth Signings

Manchester United are continuing their youth recruitment this summer, which has been a key trend since Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS purchased a minority stake in the club. 

The likes of Ayden Heaven and Chido Obi have already made an impact on the first team, while Sékou Koné and Diego Leon will be hoping they can do the same in years to come after joining under the INEOS regime. 

Roundtable recently reported that United were trying to sign Manchester City youngster David Eze after giving him a tour of the Carrington Training Complex. 

Eze could join United's younger groups first, but it seems the club are also looking to bolster their Under-18s side, and has now been linked to a 45-goal centre-forward. 

The Manchester Evening News have reported that United are in talks to sign 14-year-old centre-forward Henry Blake from Derby County. 

Blake turned heads up and down last season after netting 45 goals for Derby, while he has also been called up by the England U15s side. 

The 14-year-old was one of the youngest players to appear in the U18 Premier League last season - making his debut just months after his 14th birthday. 

While he only made 24 minutes in the competition, his 45 goals across all competitions cannot be ignored. 

If United complete the deal, they will be forced to pay Derby compensation based on Blake's age, how long he has been with the club, the category of the academy setup, and his development and training costs. 

While there are so many new additions needed in the senior side - central midfielders, left-wingers, left-backs, strikers, goalkeepers, and more - United must continue to make signings for the youth sides. 

United are built on their youth system, and they must strive to be the best in the country each and every season. 

They have already proven there is a pathway to the first team, with the likes of Kobbie Mainoo, Alejandro Garnacho and Marcus Rashford all important players in recent years. 

But it is also important not to overdo it. 

United have a great youth system of their own accord. There are many talented players at Carrington, and making too many new signings would limit their playing time. 

Like signings in the first team, a deal cannot be agreed without thinking about how it will impact a talented player already at the club.