Manchester United are reportedly tracking two promising young Italian stars – Davide Merola and Marco Carnesecchi of Inter Milan and Atalanta respectively.
According to an exclusive report from Italian publication Tuttomercatoweb, representatives of Manchester United were in the stands for the Under-18 international between Italy and Germany. The scouts in Italy’s 3-1 defeat were present to take a closer look at two young Italians – Davide Merola of Inter Milan and Marco Carnesecchi of Atalanta.
The duo are thought to be on the radar of Manchester United, who have been involved in heavy youth recruitment in the last 18 months or so. Both the youngsters are regulars for their respective youth sides and the Italian Under-18 team, albeit at completely different ends of the pitch.
While Marco Carnesecchi is a promising young goalkeeper who has started the season well – 3 clean sheets and only 7 goals conceded in 8 Primavera games so far – Davide Merola has been equally commendable up front for Inter Milan’s Primavera side in the same league, with 2 goals in 4 appearances thus far.
Manchester United have made youth recruitment a priority after a glance at their results in the youth levels along with the inability to produce players good enough to challenge for first-team football.
Man Utd scout Italy U18 pair Davide Merola and Marco Carnesecchi
Manchester United had a scout posted at It… pic.twitter.com/Jh13u7EqlS
— Excess Sport (@excesssport) November 14, 2017
The Red Devils continued their fierce recruitment in the summer transfer window and beyond, with captures like Di’Shon Bernard, Arnau Puigmal, Ethan Galbraith and others.
United have been linked with many youngsters recently, especially in the goalkeeping department and in attack. The likes of Mile Svilar, Umaro Embalo, Keinan Davis and others are being continuously scouted by the club in order to be updated about the situation surrounding the up-and-coming gems in world football.
Davide Merola is contracted to Inter till 2020 and has been tipped to become a first-team star at San Siro in the future. Marco Carnesecchi, on the other hand, looks like a prospect that could be a more achievable target for United, when compared to the striker.
For now, United have only sent scouts to monitor the player’s performances and report back on their potential – one of Mourinho’s main missions was to prevent United from missing out on the knowledge of any promising youngsters.
But, the presence of scouts does bode well for both Davide Merola and Marco Carnesecchi, who will now be aware that their potential is beginning to attract a club as big as Manchester United, even if the duo do not intend to move anytime soon.
