Manchester United are closely monitoring rising star Idrissa Gueye, a talented teenage striker whose performances have sparked growing interest from several top European clubs. The 18-year-old forward played a crucial role in helping French side Metz earn promotion to Ligue 1 during the 2024–25 season.
Gueye made 20 appearances for Metz, contributing five goals and one assist, demonstrating maturity and composure well beyond his years. His breakthrough campaign has placed him firmly on the radar of United’s scouts, who have been actively tracking his development in recent weeks.
The young striker’s journey from Senegal to the spotlight in Europe has been nothing short of remarkable. He began his professional career at Generation Foot, one of Senegal’s top football academies, where he scored 12 goals in 26 appearances during the 2022–23 season. At just 16, he helped his side win the Senegal Ligue 1 title before making the switch to Metz in January 2024.
Although Gueye did not feature in Senegal’s recent 3-1 win over England in a high-profile friendly, his inclusion in the senior squad at such a young age underlines his growing reputation in international football. His combination of technical skill, pace, and goal-scoring instinct makes him one of the most exciting young forwards on the continent.
Despite being under contract with Metz until June 2029, the French club are already bracing for offers. The interest surrounding Gueye continues to escalate, with Liverpool, Borussia Dortmund, and Arsenal also believed to be keeping tabs on the promising striker. Metz are expected to fight to keep him, but they may struggle to resist pressure from Europe’s elite clubs.
At Old Trafford, there is a clear strategy to build a squad around young, high-potential players. Under the influence of new minority shareholder Sir Jim Ratcliffe, United have accelerated their recruitment of emerging talent. The club recently brought in prospects such as Chido Obi, Aiden Haven, and Sekou Khoune, all of whom have quickly shown flashes of brilliance.
While Gueye is seen as one for the future, the expectation is that United will also target a more experienced centre-forward to lead the line next season. Nigerian international Victor Osimhen remains their primary target, but other names, including Hugo Ekitike, are also being considered.
The competition for Gueye’s signature is expected to be fierce, but United hope that their vision for youth development and a long-term project will be enough to persuade the striker to choose Manchester as his next destination.
