Manchester United are writing checks to sign ‘young Sadio Mane’

Unable to call up the likes of Brian Mbeumo, Nouser Mazraoui and Amad, Ruben Amorim’s side look exhausted and there will no doubt be some persuaders at Manchester United who will want the club’s AFCON stars to endure a swift exit from the competition.

Unfortunately, this trio is too good to be part of the tournament’s disaster, with Amad in particular already leading the way for the Ivorian squad.

In fact, the 23-year-old has scored in each of his team’s opening two games, the second of which was a stunning goal in the 1-1 draw against Mbeumo’s Cameroon last time out.

This remarkable solo attack once again underlined the winger’s development from teenage prodigy to true world-beater, and United reaped the benefits of their initial £19m investment in the little-known 18-year-old in 2020.

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

Manchester United are among the frontrunners to sign Amad next

From first signing in October 2020 to actually arriving in Manchester a few months later, Amad had to bide his time at Old Trafford, with loan spells at Rangers and Sunderland, while also fighting his way into a peripheral role under Erik ten Hag.

But since Amorim took over just a year ago, the diminutive left-footer has been a mainstay, scoring 21 goals and assisting in just 43 games under the Portuguese manager.

The former Atalanta starlet is an established number 10 on the right, both as a regular winger and as a wing-back, and United were thought to be looking for a similar player on the other side, despite appearing to be missing out on Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo.

However, it appears that alternatives are being considered, with Catch Offside reporting that the Red Devils and Arsenal are among the clubs that have carried out “initial checks” on Hoffenheim teenager Bazmana Toure.

The Premier League rivals will be at the “first of the queue” to sign the 19-year-old, according to reports, but a summer move is more likely than a mid-season move.

The Bundesliga side have no intention of allowing him to be sold next month, but the player is thought to be valued at around 45 million euros (approximately 3.9 billion yen).

Why Toure could be Manchester United’s next Amad

The one-capped international, who is currently part of Ivory Coast’s AFCON squad, could well link up with Amad at club level if United intensify their interest, and Toure’s recent form in Germany highlights why he is worth the bet.

The teenager, who usually plays on the left but is comfortable on either flank, has been hailed as “one of the most exciting young wingers in European football” by journalist Bence Boksak, who also likened him to “a young Sadio Mane”.

Such praise is surely justified given his impact in the Bundesliga in 2025, having scored 10 goals and provided an assist in just 29 games since joining from Hammerby earlier this year.

This includes his return with two goals and five assists in 14 league games already this season, and according to Transfermarkt, only five players in his division have more assists in Germany’s top flight.

A left-handed player like Amad’s resemblance to his compatriot is also reflected in his incredible speed and relentless work ethic, all traits highlighted on the Bundesliga’s official website.

A natural ball-carrier, the teenager has scored nine goals in just 23 games since returning to Sweden, but he also ranks in the top 12% of wingers in the Bundesliga for progressive carries (4.57/90) and in the top 10% for take-ons (1.99), according to FBref.

For comparison, in the Premier League, Amad averaged 5.37 and 1.57 respectively in the same two metrics, proving himself to be a dribbling threat under Amorim.

The beauty of Toure is that his defensive work allows him to slot into the wing-back position if needed, and he also ranks in the top 2% for aerial duels won per 90 games this season.

The prospect of having explosive talent on one side and Amad on the other is certainly tantalizing for those back in Manchester, and the whole deal suggests the Hoffenheim man is worth the £39m investment.