Man Utd face work permit problems in transfer pursuit of talented USA teenager

Brian Gutierrez has reportedly been eyed by Man United

Manchester United will need to overcome work permit rules if they are to bring talented Chicago Fire playmaker Brian Gutierrez to the club.

United have been linked to the 19-year-old, with his performances in the MLS as well as with the USMNT’s youth sides earning him a growing reputation. The Red Devils face competition for the attacking midfielder’s signature, however, with clubs abroad also keeping tabs on his progress.

And those clubs elsewhere on the continent could have an advantage as post-Brexit work permit rules pose an obstacle to United in pursuing such a deal. Rangers have also been named as one of the clubs eyeing the player, but he could make a move to Germany, with Borussia Dortmund and RB Leipzig both keen on the youngster.

The rules governing work permits are outlined by the Premier League as follows: “Players with passports from outside the European Union and the European Economic Area need permission to work in the UK.” Then follows a points-based system, for which Gutierrez is highly unlikely to be eligible due to his lack of appearances for the senior USA team.

The Daily Mail have reported United’s interest in the youngster, with Spanish side Girona also cited as admirers of the talented player. Girona are part of the City Football Group and could be used as a stepping stone towards gaining a work permit for a move to Man City later down the line should the owners wish.

This multi-club model is an increasing phenomenon within the game, with both Chelsea and Newcastle reportedly looking to develop similar networks in order to provide similar opportunities under their respective new ownership structures. With no such structure currently in place, Man Utd would have to bring Gutierrez to the club, then speculatively loan him out in the hope they can make sufficient progress to gain a UK work permit in the future.

Last month, Ten Hag outlined his policy of how United currently seek to develop young players through loan moves, discussing the development of Amad Diallo, saying: “We loan such players to let them develop and make progress. To bring them back… that is the aim of a loan.

“We are really strong on them on the matter of the way we mentor them, and so we follow them and we have communication through all the season, especially (technical director) Darren Fletcher. He invests a lot in such processes and the aim is to bring them back as a better player and with better experience.”