Manchester United update as club in 'pole position' for teenage wonderkid wanted by Arsenal, Chelsea

Manchester United are said to have leapt ahead of rivals for 16-year-old Harley Emsden-James of Southampton in the summer transfer window.

The Red Devils were beaten 1-0 by ASEAN All-Stars on Wednesday in a post-season friendly, dampening the mood of supporters even further.

Head coach Ruben Amorim oversaw the club's worst ever Premier League season, with the team finishing in 15th place with just 42 points.

United are also facing severe financial difficulties which could mean the United boss may have to settle for cheaper additions to his squad in the summer.

The Daily Mail claim the Red Devils are a step ahead of Arsenal and Chelsea in their pursuit of Southampton defender Emsden-James, who could cost in the region of £1m, similar to the price that United paid Arsenal for Ayden Heaven.

© Imago

Are United taking the right approach?

If Emsden-James is signed, he would be one of a number of youngsters brought to Old Trafford in the past year, joining the likes of Chido Obi-Martin (17), Heaven (18) and Sekou Kone (18).

Should the teenagers' development go to plan, United may end up saving significant sums in future transfer windows, a strategy that is favoured by co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe.

However, urgent improvements to the first-team squad are needed if Amorim is to avoid overseeing another disastrous season, and waiting for young talents to blossom could be risky.

The Red Devils look set to bring Wolverhampton Wanderers' Matheus Cunha in, but his reported transfer fee is in excess of £60m and may significantly deplete the team's budget.

While there are question marks regarding the likes of goalkeeper Andre Onana, midfielder Casemiro and striker Rasmus Hojlund, it would be unfair to ask teenagers to step into the side and replace their more experienced counterparts.

Though United must be careful when it comes to spending, they must also ensure that Amorim is given the players he needs to get the club competing higher up the table.

Written by
Lewis Nolan