A young defender who had trials at a number of Premier League clubs has joined Manchester United’s academy, as the club continue to add emerging talent to their ranks
Manchester United have completed the signing of a 13-year-old prospect who previously had trials with Arsenal, Tottenham and Crystal Palace. The defender, known only as Socrates, has been praised for his resilience after being rewarded with his move to the Red Devils.
United have been prioritising youth recruitment under Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s ownership. Last season they brought in Ayden Heaven and Chido Obi from Arsenal’s academy, while a reluctance to bring in Sergio Ramos suggests high-earning players over the age of 30 are a thing of the past.
“From ELA ➝ Signing for one of the biggest club in the world,” wrote West London-based youth football organisation Elite London Academy. “Today we congratulate Socrates on officially signing for Manchester United. @manutd
“Socrates has been with us for five years — five years of development, hard work and belief. From the moment he joined Elite London Academy, you could see he had something special: technically gifted, intelligent on the ball, brave in duels, and always hungry to learn.
“Along his journey, we organised trials for him at Arsenal, Tottenham and Crystal Palace. He completed full trials at these clubs but these did not result in registration. Arguably, missed opportunities for the clubs. But what makes Socrates different is how he responded. He didn’t sulk. He didn’t lose confidence. He showed resilience, maturity and a mindset far beyond his age.”
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According to ELA’s post, Socrates started out as a winger but now plays as a left-sided centre-back. He is said to have turned down a deal at another club because of the school opportunity offered, and is said to be continuing his education at “a highly academic and selective school” in Manchester.
“Off the pitch, he’s exactly the type of boy every academy wants: Humble, well-mannered, intelligent, respectful and driven,” the academy added. “And behind him is a family who supports him in all the right ways — patient, positive, and trusting the process.”
United have also been showing their academy talents that there is a pathway to the first team. Heaven and Obi have both played for the senior side under head coach Ruben Amorim, while others – including 15-year-old prodigy JJ Gabriel – have trained with Amorim’s squad while waiting for that first opportunity.
Gabriel, who has 10 goals in 11 games for United’s Under-18s, became the club’s youngest ever FA Youth Cup scorer this week. His goal against Peterborough proved to be the winner and showed why United are so intent on keeping him at the club amid reports of transfer interest from Barcelona.
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