Man Utd targeted Baylee Dipepa with the club placing a focus on emerging talents

Manchester United have reportedly targeted Port Vale forward Baylee Dipepa with Sir Jim Ratcliffe having placed a focus on emerging talents.

Ratcliffe revealed earlier this month that the club are set to take a different path after his Ineos group took over football operations.

Man United's minority owner had highlighted how the club had spent a lot of money over the past decade which failed to put the club back on top.

He instead set Man United the challenge of uncovering the next Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham.

'I would rather find the next Mbappe,' he said. 'Rather than spend a fortune to buy success. It's not that clever to go and sign Mbappe, anyone could figure that one out.

'What's more challenging is to find the next Mbappe, the next Bellingham, the next Roy Keane.'

According to the Sun, the focus on emerging talent has led to Man United targeting Port Vale's 17-year-old forward Dipepa, with the Red Devils claimed to be keen to do a deal soon.

Dipepa made his England under-17 debut during the international break, scoring twice as a substitute in a 5-1 win over Northern Ireland.

The forward struck again against Hungary's on his full debut for the Under-17 side, netting the opener in a 5-0 win.

Dipepa continued a breakthrough season for Port Vale on Friday with the striker scoring a stunning solo goal in a 2-0 win over Bristol Rovers to help the Valiants battle to stay in League One.

The 17-year-old produced a mazy run past Bristol Rovers defenders after taking the ball down on his chest, before eventually finding the finish to double his side's lead.

Port Vale boss Darren Moore said after the win over Bristol Rovers that the club have to manage Dipepa's load, stating that 'so much has happened to him in a short space of time'.

Moore acknowledged that Dipepa's 'stock keeps rising', adding that his performances could help the club avoid relegation from League One.

The teenager signed his first professional contract at Port Vale in January, signing a deal until 2026.

Dipepa has been with the club since he was eight, with the forward emerging as a first team player after coming through the academy.