Manchester United officially announces the signing of 13-year-old center-back Socrates, with no interest in veteran Ramos! £7 million left-back refuses loan move.

Manchester United officially confirmed the signing of England U15 youth player Socrates, who will be integrated into the club’s youth development program. This is yet another promising youngster recruited by the ENIC group after Sir Jim Ratcliffe acquired the Red Devils.

The name Socrates is quite renowned. The ancient Greek philosopher Socrates, ranked alongside Plato and Aristotle as one of the three great sages of classical Greece; and the Brazilian samba football icon Socrates, a midfield partner of “White Pelé” Zico, who was not only a star player but also a doctor and actor, famously forming a legendary football duo with his brother Raí.

The Socrates signed by Manchester United hails from the ELA London Elite Academy and has previously trialed with Arsenal, Tottenham, and Crystal Palace before ultimately transferring to United. Initially a left winger at 13, Socrates caught the attention of United scouts only after switching to center-back. However, when signing, he wore the number 10 jersey bearing his name, suggesting he may aspire to be an attacking player at Old Trafford.

The ELA London Elite Academy released an official statement saying: Socrates trained with us for five years, and from the moment he joined, his distinctiveness was clear—exceptional technical skill, high football intelligence, bravery in challenges, and a constant eagerness to learn. We arranged trials for him at Arsenal, Tottenham, and Crystal Palace, where he completed training but did not sign. Those clubs missed out, but Socrates’ reaction showed his uniqueness. He didn’t sulk or lose confidence; instead, he demonstrated resilience, maturity, and attitude beyond his years, working even harder rather than giving up.

According to the academy, in August another Premier League club from northern England showed interest in signing Socrates, but he declined as he felt it wasn’t the right fit. After switching from winger to left center-back, he thrived, showcasing his ability to read the game, pass accurately, handle physical duels, and remain composed under pressure.

Socrates has been praised for his humility, politeness, intelligence, respectfulness, and proactive mindset. His family is also very supportive, and he is regarded as an ideal young player every academy dreams of. Upon joining Manchester United, he also received an acceptance letter from a Manchester school known for strong academics and high university admission rates.

ELA commented: “This is a momentous occasion for Socrates, his family, and our club. Socrates perfectly embodies the blend of talent and attitude, reflecting the results of genuine investment in player development. We are incredibly proud of him, and this is just the beginning. Congratulations, Socrates, keep climbing even at the summit.”

While signing this young defensive talent, Manchester United also made it clear they have no interest in Spanish veteran Sergio Ramos, who has been linked with transfers to the club this week.

The 39-year-old “Water King” left Mexico’s Monterrey to become a free agent. This legendary defender, who won four Champions League titles with Real Madrid, was thought to be a target for the Red Devils. However, ESPN confirmed that United has no actual interest, and the rumors are likely a price-raising tactic by the player’s agent.

Manchester United is focusing on signing young players, having brought in several veterans over the past decade with mostly unsatisfactory results. Ruben Amorim will not bring in a center-back during the winter window but hopes to add midfielders and wing-backs.

Meanwhile, the agent of left-back Diego León, who joined Manchester United for £7 million in the summer, Renato Bittar, denied that his client will be loaned out, emphasizing that interrupting his adaptation in the academy system would not be ideal.

There are rumors that 18-year-old León might be loaned to Nice, owned by the Rags in Ligue 1, but the club is currently unstable and may not be suitable for the Paraguayan youngster to adapt to European football. Bittar told the Manchester Evening News: “English media reports say he’s moving to Nice, but actually, he’s following our plan. It’s still unclear if he will be loaned out, but we believe ending his season early wouldn’t be good for him. He is progressing and getting more playing time with Manchester United’s U21s, which is a positive step.”