'/%3e%3cdefs%3e%3clinearGradient%20id='prefix__paint0_linear_4737_37157'%20x1='3.018'%20y1='23.6'%20x2='44.925'%20y2='24.977'%20gradientUnits='userSpaceOnUse'%3e%3cstop%20stop-color='%231CB7FF'/%3e%3cstop%20offset='.502'%20stop-color='%232FF58B'/%3e%3c/linearGradient%3e%3c/defs%3e%3c/svg%3e)
Manchester United agree deal to sign defender who began his career as winger
Dec 11 2025 15:17 · By onefootball.com · 84 Reads
As far as central defenders are concerned, Manchester United are blessed with a number of highly-rated young stars.
Ex-Lille prodigy, Leny Yoro , 20, is a mainstay in Ruben Amorim’s defence. 19-year-old Ayden Heaven, who left Arsenal early this year, has made 11 appearances for the Red Devils so far.
Meanwhile, academy defender Jayden Ngwashi is thought to be firmly on the radar of the first-team decision-makers. The 17-year-old’s ceiling is of a “similar level to that of Crystal Palace and England’s Marc Guehi.”
Now, United have managed to grab another gifted defender.
According to Manchester World , United have completed the signing of teenage defender Socrates after a successful trail.
Socrates, a product of the Elite London Academy, also had trials with Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur and Crystal Palace before United won the race for his signature.
Posting on their Instagram account , the youth academy wrote: “From ELA ➝ Signing for one of the biggest club in the world. Today we congratulate Socrates on officially signing for Manchester United . @manutd. Socrates has been with us for five years — five years of development, hard work and belief.
The 13-year-old began his career as a promising winger before finding success as a left-sided centre-back.
Interestingly, he posed holding a number 10 shirt upon signing for the Premier League giants.
Socrates has earned plaudits for showing “resilience, maturity and a mindset far beyond his age.” As per the London-based academy, the starlet is brave in duels and calm with the ball at his feet under pressure.
INEOS are seemingly moving decisively in their bid to strengthen United’s academy.
Last week, the Mancunians formally secured the services of Derby County youth goalkeeper Charlie Hardy . They have also struck an agreement to sign Colombian U17 midfielder Cristian Orozco from Fortaleza CEIF.
Featured image Christopher Furlong via Getty Images
online polls
The Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social