Erik ten Hag casts eye over Football Manager wonderkid ahead of ‘dream’ Man United transfer call

Manchester United kick start their pre-season schedule against Norwegian top-flight side Rosenborg as Erik ten Hag prepares his squad for the 2024/25 season.

Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Casemiro, Mason Mount and Marcus Rashford were all named in the starting XI at the Lerkendal Stadium alongside a number of academy prodigies. Highly-rated striker Ethan Wheatley and midfielder Hannibal also started in a youthful United side.

Pre-season presents Ten Hag the opportunity to get his ideas across in game-like scenarios. As well as getting to work at Carrington, focus is also on the transfer market and improving the squad. Joshua Zirkzee became the Red Devils' first arrival of the window in a deal worth £36.5m.

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Possibly two new centre-backs could be brought to Old Trafford before the Premier League season kicks off as the priority remains reinforcing Ten Hag's squad. United are also likely to be in the market for some of the world's hottest young talents to avoid paying a premium for them in the future.

One player who is on their radar will have the chance to impress Ten Hag and the United recruitment team today. Highly-talented teenager Sverre Halseth Nypan has been linked with a move to Manchester for some time after his breakthrough in Norway and starts in Norway.

At just 17, the central midfielder has already played 45 times for Rosenborg's senior team, scoring seven goals and assisting nine. He made his debut in Norway's top flight at 15 years 10 months and 18 days old and has already appeared in the Europa Conference