The Red Devils are positioning to secure Leicester City prodigy Louis Page, prioritizing the physical 18-year-old midfielder to avoid repeating past recruitment misses on rising EFL talents.
Manchester United are set to take on Everton at the Hill Dickinson Stadium as Michael Carrick's side looks to build on their impressive 5-2 victory over Ipswich Town last week.
The Red Devils will still be without new summer signing Carlos Baleba, who is still nursing an injury he picked up for Brighton back in August. However, Benjamin Sesko, who did not feature in pre-season and is yet to start, could be in line to receive more minutes as he builds up his fitness.
As for the Toffees, they have a fully fit squad apart from summer signing Christian Norgaard. Jack Grealish returned to David Moyes's side on loan on deadline day and could start against United.
With the Manchester derby next weekend, many of the starters against Everton could be rested during the week to give those needing to build up their sharpness minutes in the Champions League against Sabah.
Page nearing move to Old Trafford
In terms of signing a senior left-back or striker, it was a rather quiet deadline day for Manchester United. However, the club was in talks for most of the day to sign highly rated Leicester City midfielder Louis Page.
The 18-year-old made 18 appearances in the Championship for the Foxes and has so far started the last three League One games for Leicester. Given his seniority at his young age, it is easy to see why the club would want a player of his skill.
According to Ben Jacobs on the United Stand, despite a deal not going through on deadline day for Page, United remain interested in the player. A pre-contract agreement could be struck ahead of the January window to secure his future at Old Trafford.
Tyrone Marshall at the Manchester Evening News also reported that the youngster is sold on a pathway at Old Trafford in terms of getting minutes, similar to the story of Ayden Heaven.
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While a fee of over £10 million is a considerable amount for a League One player, given the potential he possesses and the fact that he is already a starter, it makes it an excellent investment for the future.
Where this signing is different to the likes of Heaven and Tynan Thompson, Page is a player who has shown he can adapt to playing in the most physical leagues in the English Pyramid and impose himself on games.
Having famously missed out on Jude Bellingham in 2020 and even recently with Adam Wharton available at Blackburn in 2024, Manchester United have missed out on some amazing opportunities throughout the EFL.
Given the club's motto of youth, courage, and success, it is pivotal that, as well as top senior signings, United always look to bring in the best-in-class youngsters to secure the club's future.
