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Manchester United are battling Chelsea over the signing of RB Leipzig’s highly-rated young midfielder Assan Ouedraogo, as Reuben Amorim eyes up new additions.
The Red Devils fell to a woeful 1-0 defeat at home to Everton on Monday evening, failing to beat a Blues side who played most of the game with ten men.
It was a big setback for Amorim, with United now going three Premier League matches without a win, and the manager bemoaned the performance of his players at Old Trafford.
“Forget the result. The result is really bad but I was more concerned by the feeling I had during the game. Everyone should play better today.
“The understanding of every situation of the game was not there and then the quality near the box. But most important is the intensity. You can feel it right away, when we start the game. We can feel when we are at the top level in intensity and when we are not, and you cannot win games in this way.”
It was further proof that United need to look at midfield additions, whether that be in the January or summer transfer window, and an exciting update has now dropped in that respect.
Man Utd have upper hand on Chelsea in Assan Ouedraogo race
According to Sky Germany (via Sports Witness), Manchester United are pushing ahead in their efforts to sign Ouedraogo from Leipzig in 2026. The Red Devils’ interest in the 19-year-old is “becoming more concrete” all the time, with Premier League rivals Chelsea also pushing for a deal.
United have an upper hand in that they have already had contacts with the player’s camp, pursuing him before he left Schalke in June 2024, but a “top offer” will be needed to pry him away from Leipzig given he has no release clause.
Ouedraogo is a huge young talent with so much potential, so United should be looking at him as a fantastic option to add to their midfield in the coming months.
Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes are both in their 30s now, and struggled together against Everton, but the Leipzig star would be a long-term signing who would add much-needed fresh legs in the middle of the park.
Ouedraogo recently scored on his debut for Germany, and he will be pushing to be one of the standout youngsters at the 2026 World Cup, with scout Antonio Mango describing him as a “midfield sensation” earlier this month.
While the German teenager is at his happiest in a central midfield role, he can also shine in a more attacking central berth, as well as on the left wing, and United beating Chelsea and others to his signature would feel like a major statement of intent.
