  By using the ALFA adaptive optics system at the 3.6m telescope of the Calar
Alto Observatory we detected a faint red star in the apparent vicinity of FU
Ori, the prototype of the FUor outburst stars. Independent confirmation of the
detection is obtained from archival PUEO/CFHT images. The separation between
the companion candidate and FU Ori is 0."50 and their brightness contrast is
around 4 magnitudes. We discuss the possible nature of the newly detected star
based on near-infrared photometry and its proper motion relative to FU Ori. The
photometric data are consistent with a nearby late-type main sequence star, a
background giant star, and a pre-main sequence star. On the basis of the proper
motion and the stellar surface density in the direction towards FU Ori, we
argue that the probabilities of the first two options are very low.
