Manchester United ‘Interested’ in Signing 16-year-old Ajax Wonderkid – Report | OneFootball

Manchester United Track Ajax Prodigy Abdellah Ouazane: Future Planning Under Ruben Amorim Begins

As Manchester United prepare for another summer of recalibration, focus is intensifying on youth recruitment — and one name now under serious consideration is Ajax’s 16-year-old midfield sensation Abdellah Ouazane. The Dutch-born, Morocco international has been catching the eye of scouts across Europe, and United are among those most intrigued by his potential. According to The Daily Mail, the Red Devils are actively monitoring the prodigious teen following a string of impressive performances at the U17 Africa Cup of Nations.

Rising Star from Amsterdam via Morocco

Ouazane has starred for Morocco at the U17 AFCON in his ancestral homeland, with Manchester United scouts reportedly in attendance during his standout showing that helped Morocco secure a semi-final clash against Ivory Coast. What’s remarkable is that he is playing a year above his age group, having been born in 2009.

Morocco U17 coach Nabil Baha offered high praise: “He’s a player we count on a lot. He can make the difference. He was born in 2009 — people forget that. He’s a year younger than the others. But he plays at Ajax, and he’s full of talent.”

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Such accolades have prompted inevitable comparisons to Jude Bellingham — both for his all-action style and his advanced footballing maturity. Like Bellingham, Ouazane is a dynamic presence in midfield: technically sound, physically strong, and with a natural flair for both progressing the ball and reading the game.

Baha went even further: “These days, 100 per cent isn’t enough. Everyone gives 100 per cent. What we need is 120 per cent. And he’s capable of that.” This kind of mentality — combined with top-tier development at Ajax — makes the teenager an intriguing option for clubs looking to invest in tomorrow’s stars.

Strategic Shift Under Amorim

Manchester United’s transfer plans this summer appear to be shifting — not out of pure choice, but necessity. As The Daily Mail noted, “With a limited budget, United will look at more young players with higher potential this summer.”

That financial limitation stems from several factors, not least the need to offload high-wage players who no longer fit the club’s long-term vision. Sancho, Rashford, and Antony could all be sold if suitable offers arrive, potentially clearing the decks for a more strategic approach to squad building — one rooted in youth and development.

Ouazane is not the only player being watched with this in mind. United have also checked in on Sheffield United’s Ryan One and remain interested in Matheus Cunha of Wolves, though the latter’s £62.5m valuation is a stretch unless significant sales are completed.

Infrastructure Overhaul and Long-Term Vision

Under the stewardship of new manager Ruben Amorim, United’s vision appears to be taking shape in a familiar way — much like Sporting Lisbon under his previous tenure, where youth development and dynamic team structures underpinned success. The idea is not simply to buy potential but to cultivate it within a reimagined infrastructure that supports talent from the U16s to the first team.

In that context, players like Ouazane represent more than speculative punts. They are bricks in a new foundation, giving the club optionality and tactical diversity in the coming years. Whether or not a formal bid materialises, United’s interest underlines a philosophical shift in recruitment — targeting players who can define an era rather than patching holes with overpriced veterans.

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As a Manchester United supporter, this story about Abdellah Ouazane brings a rare mix of cautious optimism and déjà vu. On one hand, it’s encouraging to see the club genuinely exploring high-ceiling prospects like this Moroccan prodigy — especially under a manager like Ruben Amorim, who’s renowned for his work with youth at Sporting. On the other hand, United fans have heard the “next big thing” refrain before, only for it to fizzle out due to a lack of playing time, poor integration, or chaotic internal planning.

What stands out with Ouazane is not just the skillset, but the maturity. To be outplaying older peers on the international stage, while being lauded by his coach as someone who “can make the difference,” suggests this kid has more than just technical flair. He’s a mentality monster in the making — and United need those now more than ever.

Given the expected departures this summer, especially from the attacking and wide areas, nurturing someone like Ouazane into a long-term midfield anchor could be a masterstroke. But it needs the right environment — patience, coaching, and clarity of purpose. If Amorim can bring what he built in Lisbon to Carrington, then this kind of signing isn’t just exciting — it’s essential.