Manchester United are reportedly interested in Southampton teenager Tyler Dibling. The flying winger put Erik ten Hag’s Red Devils to the sword at times during their Premier League meeting last weekend, even if the Saints did end up on the wrong side of a 3-0 defeat.
It was Dibling’s penetrating run which forced Diogo Dalot into a clumsy tackle and won Southampton a penalty against United. Cameron Archer stepped up and missed, but Dibling’s impact was memorable at the age of just 18.
According to GIVEMESPORT, the Saints youth product is ‘on United’s radar’ and sporting director Dan Ashworth is a big fan, with his admiration stretching back to his time as Newcastle transfer chief.
It remains to be seen whether United test the waters with a move for Dibling, either in January or next summer. But Southampton are set to make every effort to tie him down in the meantime, with senior figures at St. Mary’s hopeful of negotiating a long-term contract extension.
Exeter-born Dibling only played one Championship game last campaign but his Premier League tally is already at five, with manager Russell Martin increasing his responsibility as the weeks go on.
The teenager first landed on Southampton’s books a decade ago and he is viewed as a prospect with massive potential, as evidenced by his recognition at international level, where he is already part of England’s Under-19s set-up.
While on punditry duties for TNT Sports on the south coast, United legend Rio Ferdinand suggested that staying at Southampton could be the right move for Dibling to flourish while free from the pressures of belonging to a huge club.
“Dibling has not had big exposure because he is not at the same type of club as Manchester United,” he said. “That’s why I look at Dibling now and I just hope that, I am presuming he has at Southampton, got an environment that actually embraces him, brings him in but will keep him level-headed.”
The youngster was unable to defeat United single-handedly last weekend as Archer’s penalty miss and Jack Stephens’ dismissal made life more difficult for the hosts. Goals from Matthijs de Ligt, Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho ultimately sent the three points back to Manchester.
Dibling, who was born in 2006, was handed another chance to impress by Martin today (Saturday), with a start on the right wing against Ipswich Town.
