Independiente chief answers question on Manchester United interest in Juan Angulo

Independiente del Valle president Santiago Morales has moved to clarify the situation surrounding reported interest from Manchester United in teenage forward Juan Angulo, confirming that the Ecuadorian club has yet to receive any formal approach for the 18-year-old.

Angulo, who has featured five times for Independiente this season and scored once, has been credited with an average match rating of 6.28 on analytics platform FotMob. Standing 6ft 4in, the striker has earned praise for combining strength with agility and pace, attributes that have reportedly put him on United’s radar ahead of the summer transfer window.

Speaking after Independiente’s Copa Libertadores draw with Rosario Central, Morales told local media: “We haven’t received any proposal yet,” when asked specifically about Manchester United’s rumoured pursuit of Angulo.

The forward’s potential switch to Old Trafford would continue a recent trend of United recruiting promising South American talent; compatriot Diego Leon arrived at the club last summer and is currently being integrated into the academy setup, while fellow prospect Cristian Orozco has already signed and is expected to join the ranks permanently in the coming months.

Although no official enquiry has been lodged by the Premier League giants, persistent speculation suggests that United could formalise their interest once the window opens. Observers will now watch to see whether Angulo becomes one of Erik ten Hag’s first attacking additions of the close-season.

Angulo’s emergence in Ecuador’s top flight has been rapid, and any move would represent another step in United’s strategy to secure high-upside youngsters before they command premium fees on the global market. For Independiente, retaining their prized asset through the Libertadores campaign remains the immediate priority, but Morales’s admission leaves the door ajar for future negotiations should United decide to press ahead.