Who is Marc Jurado? New Man United transfer who Barcelona were desperate to keep

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Ben Hayward28 August 2020

The last time Manchester United signed a youngster from Barcelona, that player went on to become one of the planet's leading stars.

Gerard Pique arrived at Old Trafford as a 17-year-old in 2004 and that same year, Marc Jurado was born.

Now 16 years old, the young right-back has rejected Barca's three-year contract offer and follows in the footsteps of the World Cup-winning defender, who spent four years in Manchester before returning home in 2008.

One of the most promising players of his generation, Jurado formed part of Barcelona's Juvenil A side and was expected to progress to their youth team, Barca B, within a couple of years.

Born in Sabadell, just outside Barcelona, Jurado joined La Masia at the age of seven after impressing at local club CF Can Rull (where he had played since he was four) and has remained there for the past nine years.

In his second season with the Blaugrana, the youngster recorded the fastest goal for the FCB Benjamin C side as he stole the ball straight from the kick-off and raced forward to convert after just five seconds against UD Viladecans.

Jurado is very much a modern-day full-back, getting up and down the pitch with speed and skill and also earning a reputation for his goalscoring ability, netting six in a season for FCB Cadete B.

He is also fondly remembered for a headed goal against Real Madrid in the MIC 2016 tournament, which opened the scoring for Barcelona's Infantil A side and set the Catalans on their way to a 2-0 win over their fierce rivals.

Defensively, he has good awareness and positional sense, while his pace is a vital asset at both ends of the pitch.

Technically, he is strong and has all the qualities you would expect from a young La Masia graduate, with the ability to beat players, good passing and link-up play. And although he most comfortable at right-back, he can also operate as a winger.

Barcelona did not want to lose him and all the indications are that United have a very exciting player on their hands and possibly a man to challenge Aaron Wan-Bissaka for the right-back role at Old Trafford in years to come.

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