Manchester United scouted teenage Mbappe but did not sign him, says Ryan Giggs

A former Manchester United assistant coach has disclosed that the club once pursued a teenage Kylian Mbappé after receiving a tip‑off from a French scout. The coach, identified as former assistant manager Mike Phelan, said the information reached United’s recruitment team in early 2015 when Mbappé was still a 16‑year‑old prospect at AS Monaco. According to Phelan, the scout highlighted the French forward’s pace, technical ability and goal‑scoring record at youth level, prompting United to dispatch a scouting delegation to evaluate him during the 2015‑16 season.

United’s scouting report, Phelan explained, noted Mbappé’s physical attributes and his performances in the UEFA Youth League, but the club ultimately decided against making an offer, citing concerns about the player’s age, work‑permit requirements and the financial terms demanded by Monaco. Mbappé remained at Monaco, breaking into the first team the following season and later securing a high‑profile transfer to Paris Saint‑Germain. The revelation underscores a missed opportunity for United, as Mbappé has since become one of the world’s most prominent footballers, while the club continues to seek emerging talent through its global scouting network.