Manchester United’s long-standing tradition of pre-season friendlies in Norway continues later this week. Off the pitch, the club also shares a rich history with several notable Norwegian players.
On Friday evening, Manchester United continue their 2026 pre-season tour with a trip to Trondheim, Norway, to face Rosenborg.
The ultimate aim for Michael Carrick from these matches is for the players to build on their fitness and sharpness ahead of the competitive campaign, but United fans would also like to see a win after losing the first pre-season match 1-0 against Championship outfit Wrexham.
Without further ado, United In Focus digs into the archives, listing every Norwegian to play for the first team.
Which Man Utd academy midfielder do you feel has the biggest case to be in Michael Carrick’s squad next season?
Every Norwegian to play for Man Utd
There have been five players from Norway to feature in United’s first team.
It all started in 1996 when Norwegian duo Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Ronny Johnsen were signed by Sir Alex Ferguson.
Here’s the full list of every Norwegian to play for United.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer (1996-2007): Solskjaer spent 11 seasons at Old Trafford before eventually going on to manage the club. Signed from Molde for £1.5m, Solskjaer remains one of the greatest bargain transfers in the club’s history. His most iconic moment came in the 1999 Champions League final against Bayern Munich, scoring a crucial winner in stoppage time.
Ronny Johnsen (1996/2002): Joining United from Turkish outfit Besiktas, Johnsen cost a mere £1.2m. He was a composed defender who many fans will argue was underrated by many. Johnsen was an important squad player in the Treble-winning season. Making 99 appearances for United, the defender scored seven goals.
Henning Berg (1997/2000): Signed from Blackburn in a deal worth £5 million, Henning Berg became the first ever player to win the Premier League with two different clubs after claiming the title with United. He also made 29 appearances throughout the Treble-winning campaign.
Erik Nevland (1997/2000): After impressing Ferguson on trial, Erik Nevland signed for United as a 19-year-old prospect from Norwegian side Viking Stavanger. He only scored one goal for the club – in 1998, during a 2-0 League Cup victory over Bury at Old Trafford. He struggled to break into a squad that was already stacked with top forwards: Solskjaer, Andy Cole, Dwight Yorke, and Teddy Sheringham.
Joshua King (2008/2013): Joshua King joined United’s academy in 2008 from Norwegian outfit Valerenga at the age of 16. He spent nearly five years at the club but left after struggling to break into the first team. King went on to enjoy a career in the Premier League after eventually signing for Bournemouth.
- ⚡️ NEWS IN BRIEF
- The last time Manchester United signed a Norwegian player who went on to play for the first time was Joshua King in 2008.
- Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Ronny Johnsen were the first Norwegians to sign for United in 1996
- Henning Berg and Erik Nevland followed them a year later
Tyler Fletcher captained United’s XI in the second half vs Wrexham – Which young players caught your eye?
Who really impressed you?
Isak Hansen-Aaroen won the FA Youth Cup with Man Utd
Isak Hansen-Aaroen joined United’s academy in 2020 as a hot prospect, but he never made a single appearance for the first team before leaving for Werder Bremen in 2024.
The midfielder was part of United’s team that won the FA Youth Cup in the 2021/22 season, alongside teammates like Kobbie Mainoo and Alejandro Garnacho.
Hansen-Aaroen did make one friendly appearance for United during the 2022 pre-season campaign, against Rayo Vallecano.
He is currently playing for Eredivisie outfit NEC Nijmegen.
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