Ruben Amorim secured his first signature victory as Manchester United manager, overseeing a thrilling 2-1 comeback win against Manchester City on Sunday. United stunned their rivals late in the game, with Amad Diallo stealing the spotlight—winning a crucial penalty before netting the dramatic winner at the Etihad Stadium.
While Amorim will relish this hard-fought victory, he remains aware that United’s challenges are far from solved. As the club looks ahead to 2025, bolstering the squad—particularly in attack—appears to be a top priority, especially with Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho omitted from the City clash.
One exciting name linked to Manchester United is Kenan Yildiz, the highly-rated Juventus starlet. Reports from December revealed United’s interest in the 19-year-old talent, whose impressive form in Italy has turned heads across Europe. With a reported price tag of £67 million, Yildiz offers versatility, capable of playing as a forward, winger, or in the No.10 role.
Yildiz’s stock rose further following a standout performance against Manchester City in the Champions League last week. His display caught the attention of United legend Paul Scholes, who took to Instagram to express his admiration, posting: “Who the **** is this Yildiz?” accompanied by clapping emojis.
Responding to Scholes’ praise in an interview with Tuttosport, Yildiz shared his delight at being recognized by such an iconic figure.
“Being appreciated by a champion like him is truly a pleasure,” said Yildiz. “It’s a source of pride and great satisfaction, especially after an important victory like the one against Manchester City.”
Yildiz’s talent has not gone unnoticed this season. He recently received the Golden Boy Web Award, an honor voted for by fans worldwide, underscoring his growing reputation. While Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal claimed the 2024 Golden Boy Award, Yildiz’s achievement reflects his rising star power, backed by four goals and four assists in 22 appearances for Juventus.
Despite Yildiz’s potential fit for Amorim’s plans, prying him away from Juventus could prove challenging. The Italian club remains keen to retain their young gem, but United may test their resolve with a significant offer.
Amorim, meanwhile, has demonstrated a strong focus on United’s youth setup, closely monitoring the performances of promising academy players like Jack Moorhouse and Chido Obi, who arrived in the summer. United’s U18 squad, brimming with emerging talent, may see more opportunities under Amorim’s leadership in the coming seasons.
As United prepare for 2025, Ruben Amorim faces the task of blending youthful prospects with marquee signings to forge a formidable side. Whether Kenan Yildiz will be part of that vision remains to be seen.
