Man Utd now making checks to sign “young Sadio Mane”

There will no doubt be those of a Manchester United persuasion wishing for the club’s AFCON stars to endure a swift exit from the competition, with Ruben Amorim‘s side left looking depleted without Bryan Mbeumo, Noussair Mazraoui and Amad to call upon.

Unfortunately, that trio are simply too good to be part of a tournament disaster, with Amad, in particular, already leading the charge for the Ivory Coast.

Indeed, the 23-year-old has netted a goal apiece in his side’s opening two games, the second of which saw him curl home in stunning fashion in the 1-1 draw with Mbeumo’s Cameroon last time out.

That remarkable solo strike has yet again highlighted the winger’s rise from teen wonderkid to genuine world-beater, with United having reaped the rewards following their initial £19m investment in a little-known 18-year-old back in 2020.

Perhaps, if reports are to be believed, INEOS can now repeat the trick heading into 2026.

Man Utd among frontrunners to sign the next Amad

Signed initially in October 2020, before actually arriving in Manchester a few months later, Amad has had to bide his time at Old Trafford, powering through loan spells at Rangers and Sunderland, alongside having to fight his way through a peripheral role under Erik ten Hag.

Since Amorim’s appointment just over a year ago, however, the diminutive left-footer has been a man on the charge, racking up 21 goals and assists in just 43 games under Portuguese’s watch.

With the ex-Atalanta starlet a nailed-on fixture on the right flank, be it as a number ten, out-and-out winger or a wing-back, United were believed to be looking for a similar figure on the opposite side, albeit while seemingly missing out on Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo.

Alternatives appear to be being considered, however, with Caught Offside reporting that the Red Devils – and Arsenal – are among the clubs to have made ‘initial checks’ over Hoffenheim teenager, Bazoumana Toure.

As per the report, the two Premier League rivals are set to be at the ‘front of the queue’ for the 19-year-old’s signature, albeit with a summer move seemingly more likely than a mid-season switch.

The Bundesliga side are not looking to sanction a sale next month, although they appear to have placed a valuation of around €45m (£39m) on his head.

Why Toure could be Man Utd’s next Amad

Currently part of Ivory Coast’s AFCON squad, the one-cap international could well be linking up with Amad at club level too if United are to firm up their interest, with Toure’s recent form in Germany highlighting just why he’d be worth the gamble.

Comfortable on either flank, albeit while typically operating off the left, the teenager has been hailed as “one of the most exciting young wingers in European football” by journalist Bence Bocsak, who also likened him to a “young Sadio Mane”.

Such praise is no doubt justified considering his impact in the Bundesliga in 2025, racking up ten goals and assists in just 29 games for his new club, since arriving from Hammerby earlier this year.

That includes a return of two goals and five assists already in 14 league games this season, with only five players in the division having bettered that tally of assists in Germany’s top tier, as per Transfermarkt.

A left-footer, like Amad, the likeness to his compatriot can also be seen in his remarkable pace and relentless work ethic, all traits which have been highlighted by the Bundesliga official website:

Also an innate ball carrier, the teenager – who scored nine times in just 23 games back in Sweden – notably ranks in the top 12% of Bundesliga wingers for progressive carries (4.57 per 90), as per FBref, as well as in the top 10% for successful take-ons (1.99).

For comparison, in the Premier League, Amad has averaged 5.37 and 1.57 for those same two metrics, respectively, having proven to be such a dribbling menace in his own right under Amorim.

The beauty of Toure too is that his defensive work ensures he could also slot into a wing-back berth if required, having also ranked in the top 2% for aerial duels won per 90 this season.

The prospect of having the explosive talent on one side, with Amad on the other, is certainly a mouthwatering one for those back in Manchester, with all the signings pointing to the Hoffenheim man being worth the £39m investment.

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