Pedro Vite stuns Mexico amid Manchester United and Aston Villa links

Manchester United and Aston Villa target Pedro Vite has surprised even those who watched him every week in Mexico with his performances for Ecuador at the World Cup.

The 24-year-old Pumas UNAM midfielder has been linked with both Premier League clubs in recent days, while people around the Mexican side increasingly expect him to leave this summer.

According to Ecuadorian newspaper Diario Expreso, Mexican journalist Adrián Esparza believes Vite has reached another level during the tournament.

Vite was already highly regarded before joining Pumas from Vancouver Whitecaps last summer, having caught the eye during the 2025 CONCACAF Champions Cup final.

He quickly became an undisputed starter in Mexico and the midfielder responsible for setting Pumas’ tempo. His partnership with Adalberto Carrasquilla helped drive the club to the Clausura final despite their squad rarely being considered among Liga MX’s strongest.

“Vite’s level is very consistent. He’s not necessarily a top-five player in Liga MX, but he always stands out for his club with good performances,” Esparza explained.

He added: “Pedro took Pumas to the final.”

Yet Vite’s World Cup performances have still exceeded expectations in Mexico. Diario Expreso says playing alongside established Ecuador stars such as Moisés Caicedo and Willian Pacho has helped him raise his international profile significantly.

Vite’s reputation away from the pitch has also impressed. Esparza described him as someone who “lives to train and be at home”, avoids controversy and focuses almost entirely on football.

That combination of consistency, character and World Cup form comes at an important moment. Manchester United and Aston Villa have both been linked with the Ecuador international, while those around Pumas increasingly view a summer departure as a matter of time rather than possibility.

Vite may not have been considered one of Liga MX’s five best players before the tournament, but his performances for Ecuador have changed the transfer picture.

For interested clubs in England, the World Cup appears to have confirmed that the midfielder has reached a new level just as the summer market opens.