Manchester United have handed a trial to exciting 16-year-old Colombian prodigy Wilson Tilve, who has been hailed as the next James Rodriguez.
According to Daily Mail, Manchester United could be set to add another exciting young prospect to their Under-18 squad. Colombian prodigy Wilson Tilve, who has been dubbed the next James Rodriguez, has been handed a trial at the club and, if all goes well, he could become the latest addition to Kieran McKenna’s squad.
Wilson Tilve is currently a part of Colombian outfit Club Atletico Colombia de Cartagena. Tilve has been compared to Real Madrid playmaker James Rodriguez, who is currently on loan at Bayern Munich, mainly due to their similarities in playing style.
Tilve is also left-footed and thrives in the Number 10 role, both things Rodriguez is famed for. Tilve has been on the radar of several Colombian clubs but reports coming out of the local region has stated that Manchester United are leading the chase for Tilve.
The 16-year-old visited the club’s training premises last week and has subsequently managed to get himself a trial at Manchester United. He was at the club for almost a week, from Monday, January 26 to Friday, January 30 and while it is unclear as to how his trial went, the prospect of a trial itself is big enough for the 16-year-old.
Tilve also became the first Colombian to be handed a trial at United and, if he does end up signing on a permanent basis, would become the first Colombian to do so – Radamel Falcao is the only Colombian to play for Manchester United and he was on a season-long loan at the club.
Manchester United hand trial to Wilson Tilve, 16-year-old Colombian wonderkid dubbed the new James Rodriguez. pic.twitter.com/hQRnGJqMOI
— Agent Jay (@Jay_Is_That_Guy) February 5, 2018
Manchester United have been actively recruiting youngsters from all across the world to add to their youth squad in an attempt to bolster it, after suggestions and visible reflections of the youth setup not being as strong as earlier.
The summer saw the likes of Aliou Traore, Di’Shon Bernard and Arnau Puigmal being poached from other places apart from their usual group of youth intakes. The Red Devils have continued to strengthen their youth side in January as well, with Matej Kovar being added to the Under-18 squad’s goalkeeping options.
Although, Tilve’s addition might be a bit difficult. Manchester United are already crowded with options for the midfield and the Number 10 role, with English prodigy Angel Gomes, also a number 10, hailed as the best player to ever emerge from the United academy.
Although, Angel Gomes has been involved in some capacity in the first-team setup already at Manchester United, which could see him either being loaned out to gain first-team experience or being promoted to the Under-23 side or even the first-team setup on a permanent basis soon, which could free up a spot in the Under-18s for Tilve.
If the comparisons do prove to be true, United could get their hands on a gem of a player. James Rodriguez or not, Tilve could just become the next sensation for Colombia.
