Why Man United should look at Aster Vranckx as a long-term prospect

According to claims from Belgian outlet Het Laatste Nieuws, as relayed by Obor News, Man United are tracking Belgian starlet Aster Vranckx, who currently plies his trade with KV Mechelen in the Belgian top-flight. 

As well as Man United, Serie A fallen giants AC Milan and a number of other European heavyweights are keeping close tabs on the 17-year-old central midfielder, who is currently enjoying a breakthrough season in his homeland. (h/t Het Laatste Nieuws)

Vranckx spent time with lower division clubs KVK Tienen and Woluwe-Zaventem earlier in his career before joining Mechelen where he signed his first professional contract in December 2018. 

Held in high regard as one of the brightest emerging talents in Belgium, the teenager was handed his senior professional debut in a 3-0 defeat against K.R.C Genk in the 2019 Belgian Super Cup earlier in the campaign and has already made 3 appearances in the Jupiler Pro League. 

The 17-year-old has represented Belgium at U-15 and U-16 levels and is expected to make his U-19 bow in the near future after bursting on to the scene at Mechelen. The teenager is currently only playing a bit-part role at the senior level but the Belgian outfit have high hopes of him. 

Meanwhile, Man United have put a lot of emphasis on their youth recruitment drive ever since the arrival of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer last year and the Red Devils constantly seem to be scouring the continent for bright emerging talents.  

The likes of Hannibal Mejri and Noam Emeran was roped in from France earlier in the summer before United once again grabbed the headlines with a deal for 16-year-old Spanish wonder kid Meteo Mejia, who made his move to Old Trafford from Real Sociedad. 

To put things into perspective, United have plucked out some top-quality young talent from across the globe to provide some serious competition to the homegrown prospects in the academy and the acquisition of Aster Vranckx would be yet another step in the right direction. 

Teenage academy starlets like Mason Greenwood, Angel Gomes, Brandon Williams and Tahith Chong are already reaping the rewards of Solskjaer’s policy of blooding youngsters in the senior ranks and Aster Vranckx could also get his opportunity in the future if a move to Old Trafford does materialize. 

The process of transition to senior football is not so straightforward when it comes to the Premier League, meaning that the Belgian prodigy is only likely to further his development in the U-18s and the U-23s for the foreseeable future before staking a claim for a senior role. 

Verdict

The 17-year-old has a contract at Mechelen until 2023, meaning that Man United might have to fork out a sizable fee to get their hands on the midfielder. However, given his obvious talent and vast potential, Vranckx could be well worth the outlay in the years to come. 

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The highly-rated teenage prospect is hardly a finished article just yet, but that he is already rubbing shoulders with the big boys is indicative of a level of maturity that belies his tender years and Man United have every reason to hope that he evolves into a top-quality professional moving forward. 

All in all, Vranckx looks like a real talent for the future and United should continue to monitor his progress at close quarters before coming to a decision.