Duah is characterized as a ball-playing No. 6, joining existing midfielders like Jeppe Tverskov, Aníbal Godoy, and Heine Gikling Bruseth, which will help implement the team's style.

In preparation for the upcoming season, San Diego FC made strategic trades during the draft, including exchanging the ninth overall pick for the 17th pick and $100,000 in General Allocation Money (GAM) to enhance their roster.

The team further traded down to acquire an additional $75,000 in GAM and the 24th overall pick in a deal with New York City FC, indicating a focus on strengthening multiple positions on the field.

As the team gears up for their inaugural match against the Los Angeles Galaxy on February 23, 2025, they aim to enhance their midfield with these strategic acquisitions.

Varas believes Duah has tremendous potential and can become a dominant force in MLS within a few years, highlighting the club's investment in his development.

Duah's tactical and physical attributes have drawn comparisons to Sergio Busquets, which Varas highlighted as an influence on Duah's game.

At just 19 years old, Duah's transition to Major League Soccer reflects San Diego FC's commitment to nurturing young talent, which is part of the Right to Dream network.

During his freshman year, Duah started 14 matches and recorded his first college assist, drawing inspiration from renowned midfielder Sergio Busquets.

Duah admires Busquets' playing style and aims to emulate it while also noting that he possesses greater athleticism than the legendary midfielder.

Additionally, Duah will have the chance to learn from Chucky Lozano, a star player arriving from PSV Eindhoven, expressing a desire to understand Lozano's journey to success.

San Diego FC has made a significant move by selecting Manu Duah, a 6-foot-4 holding midfielder from UC Santa Barbara, with the first overall pick in the 2025 MLS SuperDraft as they prepare to become the 30th team in Major League Soccer.

Head coach Mikey Varas expressed excitement about Duah's talent and character, emphasizing his potential as a ball-playing midfielder who aligns well with the club's playing style.