Manchester United’s youth recruitment drive is set to level up once more in the summer and firmly in their crosshairs is 17-year-old Ayyoub Bouaddi.
Ruben Amorim has made no secret of the fact that they will attack the summer transfer window with purpose, and exciting things are in store.
Proven quality is important but as the likes of Ayden Heaven and Chido Obi have shown, if Man Utd can hit the jackpot on a low-fee move for a youngster who can contribute there’s nothing better.
That is what seems to be the feeling with Man Utd chasing Ayyoub Bouaddi who is just like Matheus Cunha if the Brazilian was a midfielder instead of a forward!
Who is Ayyoub Bouaddi?
Ayyoub Bouaddi is a 17-year-old sensation who plays for Ligue 1 side LOSC Lille, the home from which many world-class players have emerged.
After being drip-fed into the team as a 16-year-old in the 2023/24 season, the 2024/25 season has been a huge breakout for Bouaddi as he’s become one of the first names on the teamsheet for a Lille side contending for Champions League places.
He is a central midfielder by trade but can also play in a deeper role. His eventual future could well be further forward as a No. 10 because of his elite dribbling and ball-carrying skills, like Man Utd target Matheus Cunha.
When and where was Ayyoub Bouaddi born?
Bouaddi was born on October 2, 2007 in Senlis in France. He holds dual citizenship of France and Morocco via his ancestry.
He spent 10 years in the development circle of AFC Creil before being scouted by Lille, whose academy he’s come through in the last four years.
Ayyoub Bouaddi national team
Bouaddi is eligible to play for both France and Morocco national team but he’s more likely to declare his allegiance to the former.
He’s played for every French youth team starting from the U16s all the way up to U21s, with a senior debut on the cards next.
He made his U21 debut in November 2024 so he’s likely to stay with that team until at least the 2026 World Cup barring an explosion of form.
Ayyoub Bouaddi position
Bouaddi generally plays as a central midfielder in a 4-4-2 but has also been used sparingly as a defensive midfielder when the coach plays 4-2-3-1.
In fact, he’s played a game at every position from centre-back to attacking midfielder, a sign of his ever-developing game where his skill set can be used in various positions.
His long-term future could be as a No. 10, especially in Ruben Amorim’s 3-4-2-1, which brings us to his playing style.
Ayyoub Bouaddi style of play
Bouaddi has the profile of midfielder that every club in the world is looking for – someone who can pick up the ball in deeper areas and beat the opposition press with his shifty dribbling skills.
United already have someone in the ranks who can do that, with Jack Moorhouse dubbed Paul Pogba 2.0 for precisely that skill set.
Bouaddi, however, has more attacking gifts and is extremely combative, which is why central midfield has been the ideal place for him.
That’s where he can combine his industriousness in defence with his technical skills in attack to play as a full package at just 17.
Due to his young age, Amorim is likely to use him as one of the advanced midfielders more than the deeper ones since that position requires extreme discipline as well.
Ayyoub Bouaddi height
Bouaddi is already 6’1″ with some room to grow before he’s 18. Once he adds physicality to his frame, it could be game over for the opposition.
Much like Moorhouse, he could be like Paul Pogba minus the range of passing, something which he can add to his game as he develops.
For now, a “midfielder Matheus Cunha” is an apt comparison for his ball-carrying, tackling, and dribbling skills combined with his industriousness.
from United In Focus https://ift.tt/ETYxIiA