Man Utd 'ready to move' for one of South America's biggest prospects in January window

Manchester United are ready to move for one of South America’s most celebrated prospects in January, it has been claimed.

United have endured a topsy-turvy start to the season, with Erik ten Hag’s future in question despite a timely 2-1 win over Brentford at Old Trafford on Saturday.

Off the pitch, however, the club are already thought to be looking ahead to the January transfer window.

And according to SportWitness, the Old Trafford club want to bring River Plate wonder-kid Franco Mastantuono to the club in the coming months.

Ten Hag has welcomed a flurry of young stars to his ranks in recent months, with Leny Yoro, Joshua Zirkzee, Manuel Ugarte and Sekou Kone all signed in a clear nod to the future.

And United are now said to be keeping tabs on attacking midfielder Mastantuono, who was promoted from the academy to River Plate’s first team earlier this year.

The 17-year-old has made 34 appearances in all competitions, claiming four goals and two assists in the process, and is highly thought of in Argentina.

Mastantuono became River Plate's youngest ever scorer in February (Getty)

Unable to move until his 18th birthday, however, in August 2025, River Plate are thought to be asking for £37.3million for the player, with Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid also monitoring the teenager’s progress.

Mastantuono became River Plate's youngest-ever goalscorer after scoring in a 3-0 win in the Copa Argentina against CA Excursionistas in February.

Following the goal he said: “Since I arrived in River in 2019, every time I score a goal, I kiss the club’s badge.

"It was the club that put food on my table when I was a kid. It was a great emotion (When I scored), a lot of things went through my head, it made me want to cry. It is a dream that came true for me.”