Manchester United have been increasingly focused on securing young talent capable of sustaining a long-term project, moving away from a heavy dependence on multi-million-pound signings. Since INEOS began taking a more prominent role in sporting decisions, the club’s strategy has shifted towards laying a solid foundation with under-21 prospects who can be developed internally. The Paul Pogba model, a young player recruited from Le Havre who blossomed in England, remains a benchmark. The aim is clear: identify and secure top-tier talent before they explode in Ligue 1 or other competitive leagues. Alongside this youth-first policy, the club continues to monitor more senior targets like Gonçalo Inácio to strengthen key areas.
According to Manchester Evening News, United have already reached an agreement with Le Havre forward Kana-Biyik, with only regulatory formalities remaining before the move becomes official. The deal was reportedly signed in April and will tie the French youth international to Old Trafford for five years. Kana-Biyik recently scored nine goals for Le Havre’s U19s and made his debut with the French U18 national team in March. While he has yet to appear officially for Le Havre’s first team, he has regularly trained with them and has already received two senior call-ups.
The signing of Kana-Biyik displays United’s commitment to the future, but it must be backed by a coherent development plan. The club cannot afford to let his progress stall due to mismanagement or lack of opportunity. Two paths lie ahead: loan him to a competitive league where he can gain valuable first-team minutes, or integrate him closely within the club’s setup by giving him a key role in the under-21 side while ensuring consistent exposure to senior training sessions.
Unlike past talents who were lost in cycles of ill-fitting loans and uncertainty, Kana-Biyik’s trajectory must be carefully managed. If handled properly, he could become a significant part of United’s next generation, not just a promising name on a list.
Kana-Biyik is physically sharp, intelligent in the box, and shows a strong instinct for attacking space, traits that make him a valuable asset for a team in need of variation up front. At present, Manchester United rely heavily on their wingers and lack depth among their natural centre-forwards. If developed correctly, Kana-Biyik could offer something different: mobility, aggression, and a striker’s instinct. In the long term, as United work to build a more balanced and dynamic attacking unit, his profile could fit seamlessly into a meaningful rotation.
The goal shouldn’t be to inflate his status prematurely, but to nurture his development through clear, coherent decisions. United need more than raw potential, they need structured, well-guided projects. While the signing of Kana-Biyik doesn’t address immediate concerns, it signals how the club intends to shape its future. If managed with foresight, he could become a significant contributor within three years. If mishandled, he risks becoming yet another example of squandered potential in a system lacking direction.
In other news, multiple top clubs including Aston Villa have registered interest in Alejandro Garnacho, whose future at Old Trafford is becoming increasingly uncertain.
