Manchester United are not done with their transfer plans for the 2018 summer window as latest reports claim that Rochdale midfielder, Daniel Adshead is close to completing a £1m move to the Old Trafford. The 17-year-old managed to impress the Red Devils U23 coach, Nicky Butt during a match between the two sides behind closed doors earlier in the week. Adshead managed to grab the man of the match award and also became Rochdale’s youngest player to make his senior team debut this past season.
A number of top-tier English sides were keeping tabs on the teenage sensation but United are ones to recognize his true potential. Adshead made his debut during the Carabao Cup opening match against Bury and played the entire 90 minutes. He later featured for Rochdale throughout the tournament and finished the season with 9 appearances for the club’s senior team.
The midfielder has been on a meteoric rise to gain top-flight recognition. He was noticeable against Tottenham Hotspur in the 5th round of the FA Cup which the Dale lost by 6 goals to 1. He also took on the depleted United 23 squad for a spin and was reportedly miles ahead of everyone in terms of his performance and overall footballing talents. A source of Mirror said, “Adshead was man of the match and head and shoulders above everyone on the pitch. United had a depleted side because many of their regulars are on tour in America with Jose Mourinho and the first team squad but United’s staff were hugely impressed with everything the lad did.”
Adshead is expected to join the United development squad on his arrival to Manchester and not an immediate addition to the senior squad. He joined the Dale youth academy when he was only 14 and is now a highly rated graduate.
There is no telling what he might achieve in the future but he certainly will be in good hands at United. The team already has some young prodigies such as Tahith Chong, Angel Gomes, Joel Pereira, Axel Tuanzebe, Tim Fosu-Mensah, Scott McTominay, Demi Mitchell, Andreas Pereira and 16-year-old Mason Greenwood all of whom who featured under Jose Mourinho in the 1-1 preseason game against Club America in Phoenix.
Juan Mata posted a positive note after watching the club’s academy youngsters take the pitch next to him this past week. The Spaniard was quoted, “I think they’re having a great experience by training with us and the manager, seeing what United represents around the world, and I think the future is bright for Manchester United with these Academy players.”
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Hopefully adding Adshead will be the best way to keep the United academy at the same pace with some of the world’s best. It is only when a club produces their own youngsters can they solidify their presence in the top-flight.
