Manchester City's FA Youth Cup winning teen sensation and England U17 star is poached by rivals Man United

Manchester United have announced the signing of youngster Karim Cassim from Manchester City.

The England youth international was a part of the City side that defeated rivals United 2-1 to lift the FA Youth Cup last season.

'On the international front, the central midfielder has been capped up to England’s Under-17s,' the Old Trafford club said in a statement. 'Everyone at the club would like to welcome Karim to United, and we wish him the very best of luck.'

Cassim is a promising, versatile midfielder who can operate as both in a box-to-box or deeper role, with an emerging goal threat from the middle of the park.

United confirmed the signing from their cross-city rivals on Thursday, completing a move first linked when Daily Mail Sport reported the club was targeting two teenage prospects from City’s academy as part of Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s push to strengthen youth recruitment.

Man City duo David Eze and Cassim were awaiting official Premier League clearance before completing their moves to United. While Eze’s arrival was confirmed before Cassim’s announcement, Leicester City midfielder Manuel Appiah Boakye also joined United a few weeks earlier.

Youth star Karim Cassim has traded Manchester City for rivals Manchester United

Shortly after completing his minority takeover, co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe said that he wanted to sign top young players before they become stars and dominate the transfer market with huge fees.

A year before Ratcliffe arrived at Old Trafford, Man United signed Darren Fletcher's twin sons from City for a fee of £1.25million. Jadon Sancho, who came through Man City’s academy, left for Borussia Dortmund in 2017 (without a senior appearance), then joined United in 2021 for £73million.

‘It’s not that clever is it buying (Kylian) Mbappe?’ said Ratcliffe in 2024. ‘Anyone could figure that one out, but what is much more challenging is to find the next Mbappe, or the next (Jude) Bellingham, or the next Roy Keane.’

Meanwhile, United have added to Michael Carrick’s back-room staff by appointing Connor King as assistant goalkeeping coach.

King will work alongside Craig Mawson at United as part of a coaching team that also includes Steve Holland, Jonathan Woodgate, Jonny Evans and Travis Binnion.

It’s understood that King landed the assistant goalkeeping coach’s job at United in the summer and has been working at the club for the last two weeks, but his appointment was only confirmed on Thursday.

The 27-year-old came through the youth system at Burnley where he played for the club’s Under-23 team and England Under-16s before going out on loan to Chester and Clitheroe.

Since retiring from playing in 2020, King has worked as an academy coach and transition goalkeeping coach at Burnley. He also stepped in as one of three assistants to caretaker Mike Jackson after Sean Dyche was sacked in 2022.

United said in a statement: ‘Everyone at United would like to welcome Connor to the club.’

United have also confirmed the signing of teenage midfielder Karim Cassim after the Premier League gave him the go-ahead to join the club’s academy following his departure from Manchester City. Cassim, 17, was a member of the City side that beat United in the FA Youth Cup final last season.

United are set to sign another City youngster, 16-year-old midfielder David Eze, and Liverpool winger Isaac Konde.