Manchester United have a long and generally successful record of recruiting from Portugal and it would be no surprise to see the club return to the market in the coming windows.
There appears to be a plan developing around FC Porto. Scouts have been sent from Old Trafford to the Dragão at least twice over the past two months.
On Tuesday evening, Manchester United were one of the clubs with officials present as Porto faced PSV in the Champions League, with the list published in Wednesday’s A Bola. Porto lost 1-0 to the Dutch club, in a disappointing result for Francesco Farioli.
A couple of Porto players have been linked with the Red Devils in recent months, so it’s worth covering the duo first.
Oskar Pietuszewski and William Gomes
Oskar Pietuszewski was linked with Manchester United in March, along with Manchester City and Liverpool.
William Gomes links are more recent. However, he didn’t play against PSV and that was known in advance due to a grade two ankle sprain.
Pietuszewski is an 18-year-old winger. His main position is on the left, and he can also play through the middle or on the right. He joined Porto in January, and played 16 matches between then and the end of the season. During a combined total of around 800 minutes across the league appearances, the youngster scored three goals and assisted four.
The Poland international started this season with a muscle injury, and has a goal from his two league matches since returning for Porto.
He’s represented by Unidos. With a Transfermarkt value of €25m is their most valuable client. Porto would almost certainly want more.
What about PSV players?
Manchester United haven’t really been linked with players at the Dutch club since they had interest in Cody Gakpo before he went to Liverpool.
However, the Eredivisie side did beat Porto and the best performers were on their team.
Esmir Bajraktarević and Guus Til, the goalscorer, were both rated 8/10 by the local media. The latter turns 29-years-of-age in December so that’s an unlikely route.
Bajraktarević could be a completely different story. The 21-year-old was born in the US, but is already an experienced Bosnia international. He picked up further experience at the World Cup and has football maturity beyond his years.
In and out of the PSV side so far this season, he’s still managed 3 assists and a goal in 192 Eredivisie minutes playing as a right winger.
Bajraktarević is represented by LIAN Sports. The agency have experience of taking players to the Premier League, counting Milos Kerkez, Amar Dedic and Nikola Milenkovic among their clients.
Manchester United need additions on the wing, preferably young and exciting players with room to grow and a good ability to contribute to goals. Oskar Pietuszewski and Esmir Bajraktarević will have caught the eye, especially the latter on Tuesday, and the situation is worth watching.
⁉️ Manchester United wanted a head coach working within a club structure
▶️ So why is Carrick left answering for the recruitment, the gaps in his squad and even whether his own boss should speak?
▶️ Wilcox’s last substantial interview was with club media in November 2025
▶️ Who answers for the people above the head coach?
❌ Power without accountability needs to end
https://t.co/1qDwAaJywl #mufc— Sport Witness (@Sport_Witness) October 20, 2026
