The list of players catching Manchester United’s eye at this month’s U17 World Cup in Qatar just continues to grow, and now it includes the Republic of Ireland’s Michael Noonan.
For the Red Devils, the U17 World Cup is the perfect opportunity to scout some of the globe’s hottest talents for future transfer opportunities at Manchester United.
The competition has been used to sign wonderkids before, as United signed Sekou Kone after his incredible tournament in 2023 for Mali U17.
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This year’s edition has seen United scouting several talented youngsters, with even more talents emerging as targets as the group stage advanced. Now, the Republic of Ireland’s star players have been impressing.
Photo by Mohamed Farag – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images
Manchester United are scouting Michael Noonan and Vinnie Leonard
In Irish football right now, there are few names more exciting than that of 17-year-old League of Ireland phenom Michael Noonan. The striker has been making a name for himself at club level, and at this autumn’s U17 World Cup, the goals have been flowing for him with two in three games.
Now, United in Focus understands that the Republic of Ireland duo, Michael Noonan from Shamrock Rovers, and his teammate, Vinnie Leonard from Dundalk, have caught the eye of United during the tournament.
Both were close to moving to England last summer, with Championship clubs interested, but now Noonan, particularly, is attracting attention from the Red Devils, having enjoyed a really impressive tournament thus far.
United in Focus can also reveal that there was interest in Victor Ozhianvuna before the teenager committed his future to Arsenal.
Noonan would not be able to move abroad in the winter transfer window, and United will have to wait until the summer of 2026 if there is interest in purchasing either of the 17-year-olds from Ireland.
Both have been key for the Ireland side, which has walked through the group stage of the competition and now looks to take the knockout stage by storm, with Noonan in particular heavily relied upon by his team.
Who is Michael Noonan?
This is not the first time the name has emerged as a target for United. Last season, in November 2024, Noonan was linked with United when he was a 16-year-old at St. Patrick’s Athletic. This was prior to his Shamrock Rovers move.
Noonan has since reached new heights, and in February, he became the youngest goalscorer in an elite European competition when he scored against Molde in the UEFA Conference League in February.
Noonan had to go to school the day after this goal, no doubt to a special reception. His Rovers manager, Stephen Bradley, also heaped praise on Noonan as quoted by The Sun in Ireland.
“He’s ready to play, which is what I said when we got him. He was ready from the first season of pre-season. Sometimes you have to check yourself to remember he’s 16, understand the potential and ceiling he has. What he’s doing now is top class.”
Noonan senior stats
- Shamrock Rovers – 44 games, 9 goals, 5 assists
- St. Patrick’s – 5 games, 3 goals, 1 assist
Whether Noonan is the next Evan Ferguson remains to be seen, but he certainly has the ability and potential to be a top-level striker for Ireland and whichever club signs him.
