---
title: "United eye move for coveted Southampton youngster"
canonical: "https://readsouthampton.com/2016/01/11/united-eye-move-coveted-southampton-youngster/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Luke Osman"
section: "Feature Writers"
published: "2016-01-11T18:59:22Z"
modified: "2016-01-11T18:59:22Z"
---

# United eye move for coveted Southampton youngster

Manchester United are [reportedly](https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-3393932/Manchester-United-consider-Southampton-starlet-Jake-Hesketh-kick-start-overhaul-dwindling-youth-academy.html) lining up a shock move for Southampton youngster Jake Hesketh as Louis van Gaal looks to rebuild United’s youth system.

Hesketh, who made his Premier League debut against Manchester United, has been a key part of Saints’ under-21 side in the last two years, helping them to the Premier League Cup victory as well as showing good potential in their games so far this campaign.

The Red Devils’ scouts have reportedly been sent on a mission to identify the country’s most promising youngsters; a category that clearly has the midfielder within it.

![Chris Brunskill/Getty Images Sport](https://cdn.readeverything.cohttps//media.readsouthampton.com/readsouthampton/2016/01/469599420.jpg)

It is no surprise that United have shown interest in the former scholar of the year winner, with Saints boss Ronald Koeman recently expressing his disappointment in the standard of his side’s youth products this season.

Despite United having the tools to prize Hesketh away from Saints, the struggling south coast club are said to have no intention of selling what could turn out to be one of their finest talents.