Manchester United youngster turned down Marseilles offer

The Manchester United youngster turned down the chance to move to Marseilles in the summer to move to Ligue 2 side Caen.

From the start to the end, Manchester United’s summer transfer window was full of unmeasured risks, uncertainties and last-minute anxiety. It was as if the faster it gets faded, the better it would be for those in Red.

One of the worst transfer periods in Manchester United’s recent history, however, saw them wrapping up some big names in regard to their youth set-up.

While talking about bolstering their youth squad, United did some remarkable acquisitions over the summer, having signed the likes of Marc Jurado, Alvaro Fernandez Carreras, Alejandro Garnacho, Isak Hansen-Aaoren, Logan Pye, Charlie McNeill, Joe Hugill, and Radek Vitek.

It’s a gifted group of young prodigies, isn’t it?

On the other hand, their inclusion in the team means those doing the job for years in the youth ranks would now have to leave the club in search of some regular game time. And one of those who wanted to ply his trades for the senior team was Aliou Traoré.

As per the report from L’Equipe (via Sportswitness), Aliou Traoré was keen to gain some first-team experience, while Manchester United, currently having more than enough midfielders in their senior roster, was not ready to offer him those desired minutes.

Signed from Paris Saint-Germain in 2017, Aliou Traoré, 19, is considered one of the best emerging midfielders in United’s academy. He is physically strong, tall, and can showcase his qualities both as a box-to-box central-mid and a wide player. To sum up his introduction, he is a player of Paul Pogba’s ilk.

Olympique de Marseille’s newly-hired director of football, Pablo Longoria, was believed to be a huge admirer of the teenager. He was interested in landing the Frenchman in the bygone summer transfer window, making a lucrative offer to influence the move.

Nonetheless, Traoré chose to join Ligue 2 side, Caen, in a season-long loan deal, having got the smell that he won’t get the adequate time either at Marseille. Since joining Caen, the 19-year-old midfield maestro has had made two appearances for their senior side. And it seems as if he would get more under his belt.

A fruitful loan spell in France could see him getting the senior team call up for Manchester United sooner than later. And it will ultimately be the aspiration of the player and his beloved ones.