Man Utd’s new signing Silva Mexes is the son of forgotten Premier League cult hero

Manchester United have signed a promising young talent whose father is a forgotten Premier League cult hero.

This summer’s transfer window is United’s first since INEOS, led by Sir Jim Ratcliffe, purchased a 27.7 percent stake in the club and took charge of footballing operations.

Ratcliffe aims to implement a new transfer strategy at Old Trafford, moving away from overpaying for aging stars. Earlier this year, the billionaire expressed his desire to sign “the next Kylian Mbappe,” and United have already begun this new approach.

The Red Devils have completed the signing of highly-rated youngster Silva Mexes from Ipswich Town’s youth setup.

United fended off competition from other Premier League clubs to secure the young striker, although at 14 years old, he won’t be breaking into the first-team squad anytime soon. Upon signing for the club, Mexes wrote on Instagram, “Very proud moment for me and my family to announce my signing for Manchester United. The work starts now.”

It’s perhaps not surprising that Mexes has developed into such a hot prospect—after all, he is the son of former Premier League star Robert Earnshaw.

The former Wales striker played for clubs like Nottingham Forest, Cardiff City, West Brom, and Norwich City, scoring 16 goals in 59 appearances for his country. Remarkably, Earnshaw remains the only player to have scored a hat-trick in the Premier League, all three divisions of the English Football League, the FA Cup, League Cup, and internationally for Wales.

His son will join other talented youngsters in United’s academy, including Kai Rooney, the son of club legend Wayne Rooney. United hopes that both can follow in the footsteps of other promising youngsters who have risen through the ranks at the club, such as Marcus Rashford, Alejandro Garnacho, and Kobbie Mainoo.