Man United sign 13-year-old centre-back prodigy who got rejected by Arsenal and Tottenham

Man United have just signed Socrates, a 13-year-old youngster from London who plays as a centre-back. At the age of eight, Socrates joined Elite London, a well-known academy in the English capital. Over five years, he developed from a winger into a technical centre-back and attracted attention from Premier League clubs. Before joining United, he had trials at Arsenal, Tottenham and Crystal Palace, but none of those clubs offered him a contract. Eventually, he chose to move to Man United.

At United, Socrates will join the U14 squad, focusing on settling into the club, building his physical strength and adapting to life in a new city. The club wants him to develop steadily rather than rapidly, and they have high hopes that he will earn a scholarship when he turns 16.

Regarding his football qualities, Socrates is highly rated by Elite London. They described him as “technically gifted, intelligent on the ball, brave in duels, and always hungry to learn.” His mentality also stands out. After being rejected by three London clubs, Elite London said: “What makes Socrates different is how he responded. He didn’t sulk. He didn’t lose confidence. He showed resilience, maturity and a mindset far beyond his age. Instead, he pushed harder.”

With Socrates’ arrival, INEOS are showing their commitment to transforming the academy. For years, United’s academy has struggled to produce standout talents like Paul Pogba or Marcus Rashford - players ready to compete for the first team. Now, United’s leadership is working to rebuild the system, creating a long-term development pathway supported by experienced coaches.

The club have also expanded their scouting network, aiming to find promising youngsters across Europe and South America. Beyond technical ability, United now demands strong mental qualities and maturity to support long-term growth. Elite London also highlighted Socrates’ personality: “Off the pitch, he’s exactly the type of boy every academy wants: humble, well-mannered, intelligent, respectful and driven. And behind him is a family who supports him in all the right ways - patient, positive, and trusting the process.”

Socrates is just the beginning of Man United’s academy rebuild. The club are pushing for changes across all levels to find even more young talents - all for one mission: to bring United back to the top.