Manchester United’s minority stakeholder, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, is orchestrating a strategic move to secure the services of record-breaking Italian prodigy Simone Pafundi for Old Trafford from Serie A outfit Udinese.
Pafundi etched his name in the history books as the youngest player to don the Italian national team jersey in November 2022, facing Albania. His Serie A debut at a mere 16 years old, followed by a surprise call-up to the national squad by Roberto Mancini, showcased his exceptional talent on the global stage.
However, setbacks in the form of injuries hindered his progress post his remarkable display for Italy at the U-20 World Cup, where he played a pivotal role in their runner-up finish. Pubic muscle inflammation limited his game time to a mere 60 minutes this season.
Following his recovery, Pafundi secured a one-year loan move to Lausanne-Sport, offering him an opportunity to shine in Switzerland. The deal includes an option for Lausanne to make the move permanent for a Swiss Super League record fee of £12.8 million.
In a compelling twist, Lausanne-Sport is currently under the ownership of INEOS, Sir Ratcliffe’s conglomerate. Blick reports that this arrangement forms part of a broader plan to eventually bring the gifted forward to Manchester United.
Should Pafundi excel during his stint in Switzerland, the deal is likely to be made permanent, providing him with a platform to further showcase his talent. Subsequently, Sir Ratcliffe could potentially pursue his ambition to secure Pafundi’s signature for Manchester United.
In another vein, Manchester United’s recent acquisition, Rasmus Hojlund, shed light on his initial impressions of his teammates at Old Trafford. Singling out Bruno Fernandes, Hojlund lauded the Portuguese midfielder’s grace and quality both on the pitch and in training sessions.
Reflecting on his own role within the team, Hojlund expressed his determination to evolve into a well-rounded striker, emphasizing the importance of versatility in contemporary football.
Despite facing challenges, including a turbulent start to the season and injury setbacks, Hojlund has shown resilience, culminating in recent impactful performances against formidable opponents Aston Villa and Tottenham.
