Man Utd sign highly-rated Colombian midfielder in Reds' problem position

Manchester United have an agreement to sign highly-rated Colombian defensive midfielder, Cristian Orozco, from Fortaleza CEIF.

The move, which will see the 17-year-old officially join United when he turns 18 in July 2026, underscores a significant shift towards a strategic, global recruitment model at Old Trafford.

This deal is a clear indicator of the philosophy being implemented by Director of Football Jason Wilcox and the new INEOS sporting structure.

Wilcox, known for his success developing youth talent at Manchester City's academy, is driving a strategy focused on identifying and securing "the next Kylian Mbappé or Jude Bellingham," rather than spending exorbitant fees on established stars.

United are now heavily invested in "untapped" talent pools in South America and Africa, a necessity partly driven by post-Brexit transfer rules which restrict signing players under 18 from European clubs.

Orozco, who has been widely touted as a talent with first-team potential, primarily operates as a defensive midfielder and has already proven his leadership qualities by captaining Colombia’s Under-17 national team.

His commanding performances were key in helping his nation reach the final of the U17 South American Championship earlier this year, drawing the attention of United's scouting network.

The transfer mirrors the recent signing of Paraguayan defender Diego Leon, who also arrived at Carrington after his 18th birthday, reported ManUtd.com.

The intent of Manager Ruben Amorim and the hierarchy is not to immediately integrate these players into the senior squad, but to foster their long-term development.

Orozco will continue his progress at Fortaleza CEIF until the move is finalised, at which point he will join an increasingly ambitious academy setup designed to be the foundation of United’s future success.

This systematic investment is a calculated risk, but one the new regime believes is essential to reclaiming their status at the pinnacle of European football.