MANCHESTER UNITED have reportedly set their sights on a new wonderkid who has caught the eye of Ralf Rangnick and earned comparisons to Erling Haaland.
Oghenetejiri Adejenughure, 18, is in the midst of his first full professional campaign, playing as a striker for second-tier Austrian side FC Liefering, RB Salzburg’s reserve team.
A product of Rapid Wien’s academy, Adejenughure moved to RB Salzburg’s youth setup in 2021 before making his professional debut in August.
He has made eighteen appearances this season, scoring twice and assisting once.
But his performances have caught the eye of several top clubs, with Man City, AC Milan and Borussia Dortmund joining United in the race for his signature according to the Daily Star.
Adejenughure has impressed in the Austrian national youth sides, earning the praises of first team head coach and former Man United manager Ralf Rangnick in the process.
United have already made contact with the player’s camp, first approaching him in June 2024 after he scored four goals in four matches at the European U17 Championships.
Adejenughure was a force to be reckoned with at youth level, scoring every 83 minutes for Salzburg’s U18 side in 2023-24.
Standing 6ft1in tall, Adejenughure is known for his pace and finishing, earning comparisons to Victor Osimhen.
He is well-rounded for his age, also a competent dribbler and aerial threat.
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United are hoping to avoid missing out on the player after having turned down the opportunity to sign a young Haaland for just £17m as a teenager.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer had recommended him to United when he was playing at Norwegian side Molde.
Haaland, who has scored 84 Premier League goals in just 94 appearances since moving to Manchester City in 2022, spent two seasons with Molde before moving to RB Salzburg.
Solskjaer had been Haaland’s manager at Molde and saw his clear potential, saying: “It would have been a bargain. It was the cluib’s decision to not go for him then.”
Should Adejenughure make the move to United, he would become just the second Austrian player in the club’s history after Marcel Sabitzer spent half a season on loan at Old Trafford in 2023.
