Manchester United have jumped ahead of all its competitors to sign Nottingham Forest youngster, Matthew Bondswell. The 16-year-old plays in the left-back position and has reportedly declined a contract extension from the Reds.
Scouts obviously rate him highly which in turn has brought the attention of so many top-tier sides towards him. The Red Devils are expected to be charged a compensation fee by the Forresters despite not having a deal with the player beyond this season.
Bondswell is one of those gifted athletes who can one day break great strides in the English game. He has represented the Nottinghamshire School at 200m race and has won himself a silver medal. He was also awarded the 2016 British Junior Champion at the triple jump.
He had also won major silverware during his U15 athletic meets, his best discipline being the formerly mentioned disciplines.
Both he and Alex Mighten have impressed the United scouts enough but the latter is expected by Forest to secure a long-term contract. It seems like football definitely provides a future for both these boys, evident from the clubs that are after them.
Bondswell has represented England at the U16 level as well and is a cemented starter for the Nottingham U18s. He is one of those pacey footballers who leave fullbacks well into the dust if given the time and space on the wide areas. Offensively his game is not exactly deterrent and will get magnanimously proficient if polished within the Old Trafford walls.
The Red Devils are known for developing some of the world’s best talents, a process which has slowed down in the recent past. Ever since Alex Ferguson retired from the management position, the academy has not exactly been churning out top-pedigree talents.
Marcus Rashford remains the only exception with many others struggling to meet standards while out on loan.
Jose Mourinho has been devoid of a proper left-back for the entirety of the 2017/18 campaign, which eventually forced him to select Ashely Young as a makeshift option. Luke Shaw, in his eyes, is not good enough to appear on a regular basis and Matteo Darmian has long been banished to the sidelines.
Cameron Borthwick-Jackson has been shockingly bad during his loan to Leeds United and Mourinho needs to sign an able body this summer. Bondswell does not strike anyone as an immediate starter but certainly a bright acquisition for the future.
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He will be trained early in the United way and against top-flight opponents. It will definitely be a good exposure for the youngster as he will get the best facilities in England to train and develop into a star of the future.
