Former Barcelona starlet signs first professional contract with Man Utd

Marc Jurado TEAMtalk

Manchester United have tied down promising teenage defender Marc Jurado, after handing him his first professional contract.

The talented 17-year-old first came to United’s attention while emerging at Barcelona, with the Red Devils acting quickly to bring him to England. Jurado moved to Old Trafford last summer after rejecting the offer of a three-year deal in Catalonia.

The starlet, who only turned 17 earlier in April, has been a regular for United’s Under-18s side since joining. He also looks like he will be a U-18s Premier League title winner in his debut season.

Speaking on social media after penning the deal, Jurado said: “Delighted to have signed my first professional contract with @manchesterunited.

“Also I would like to thank all my family, my friends and everyone for all their support.”

Jurado becomes the latest United youngster to sign a new long-term deal at Old Trafford.

April 27 Transfer Chatter: Ronaldo return and Spurs seek new boss

April 27 Transfer Chatter: Ronaldo return and Spurs seek new boss

Cristiano Ronaldo is reportedly considering a return to Manchester United, while Daniel Levy looks to Ajax boss Erik ten Hag to replace Jose Mourinho.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side have made signing up some of the brightest talent in world football one of their top priorities

Jurado joins Teden Mengi, Shola Shoretire, Hannibal Mejbri, Anthony Elanga and Zidane Iqbal in penning deals this calendar year.

The club also brought in wingers Facundo Pellistri and Amad Diallo last summer to make sure their future is bright.


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Dzeko fires warning to Man Utd

Meanwhile, Roma striker Edin Dzeko insists that his team have nothing to fear against Manchester United, who remain the favourites to win their Europa League tie.

The two sides meet in the semi-finals, with the Red Devils looking to go one better than last season. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men reached the last four last term, but lost in the one-legged affair to Sevilla. As such, they have the experience of losing and fresh motivation to end the campaign with silverware.

Roma, meanwhile, have a similarly poor record of progress deep into European competitions.

Edin Dzeko Roma v Atalanta April 2021

Their Champions League semi-final appearance in 2017/18 against Liverpool is the only occasion they have reached that stage in their recent history.

What’s more, this season is the first time they have reached the Europa League semi-finals.

United are therefore favourites to reach the final, but Dzeko believes that “anything is possible” in a last-four tie.

“You don’t get to play semi-finals every day,” he told UEFA when previewing Thursday’s first leg at Old Trafford.

“We know their strength, and Manchester United are certainly favourites, but the very fact that we’ve got to the semi-finals gives us the right to believe.

“We know that we have quality, too, and first of all, as a team, we have to act as one. Then, anything is possible.”

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