It can be a difficult balance when attempting to sign ambitious young players. Manchester United found that out over the summer.You not only have to convince the transfer target in question that he will have a key role to play – potentially as a squad player in the beginning and then as a regular starter later down the line – but must also convince him to turn down moves to other clubs capable of offering him a first-team place right from the off.
The likelihood is that, when every member of Erik ten Hag’s squad is fit and available, Leny Yoro will rotate with Matthijs de Ligt and Joshua Zirkzee will rotate with Rasmus Hojlund.
But in the case of Mikayil Faye, the chance to swap the Barcelona bench for the Manchester United one held little appeal.
Particularly once Rennes made a move of their own, offering to fast-track the ‘exceptional’ 20-year-old centre-half into their senior set up from day one.
Manchester United missed out on Rennes Mikayil Faye
It is not known what sort of role Man United envisaged for Faye. Was he an alternative to Yoro or De Ligt?
Or, instead, one for the future in the mould of, say, a Sekou Kone.
A player who would arrive after playing 35 games for Barcelona’s B team last season, and would find himself flitting between Under 21 action and the odd cup cameo at Man United?
Either way, whatever plan United put forward did not appeal to the newly-capped Senegal international.
“Manchester United were interested in Faye, but he didn’t like that option,” explains agent Andy Bara, who’s Niagara Sports Company represents the La Masia graduate, speaking to Podcast Inkubator.
“He wasn’t a regular at Barcelona. (At Man United) his development wouldn’t have progressed at all.”
Of course, United would take issue with such a claim.
The rapid rise of Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo – not to mention a host of academy kids who have come on leaps and bounds in the last 12 months from Harry Amass to Toby Collyer – proves that, even in testing times, Man United are still elite developers of young talent.
Barcelona eventually accepted an offer of just shy of £9 million from Ligue 1 outfit Stade Rennais in August, per The Athletic.
Faye is yet to make his debut for Rennes, though he has featured in the matchday squad for their last two outings in France’s top flight. Interestingly, while the youngster may not have made the grade at Barcelona this time, there is no reason why he cannot still shine in the red and blue stripes at some point down the line.
“Barca wanted a buy-back clause in Faye’s contract with Rennes, and this was the only condition that Barca put forward. The clause is 30 million euros,” Bara adds. “Now, it all depends on Faye and his development.”
Leny Yoro and Matthijs de Ligt moved to Old Trafford
With Yoro only 18 and De Ligt – so impressive against Southampton on Saturday – only turning 25 in August, Man United’s long awaited defensive overhaul is already taking shape with or without Mika Faye.
The FA Cup holders are expected to make another move for Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite, meanwhile, at some point in 2025.
As for one-time Dynamo Zagreb starlet Faye, he arrives in France amid comparisons with Manchester City’s Josko Gvardiol.
“Gvardiol displayed quality from a young age. (But) Mikael Faye seems to have more explosive energy with a stronger impact in the final third of the field,” Ugo Klingor, who knows both players from his time in Croatian football, tells Mundo Deportivo.
Mainoo looked like he was reaching his limit as well, with the game vs Liverpool a stark example of a player who had become a marked man now.
Christian Eriksen‘s form means the club can actually afford to rotate Mainoo for the odd game, and a better team structure will ensure he’s not having to do all the heavy lifting when he plays.
United will have that to thank in ten years’ time when Mainoo is still firing on all cylinders instead of huffing and puffing toward an early decline.