Manchester United youngster Björn Hardley has trained with the first team amid the defensive injury crisis.
The 20-year-old Dutchman has been given the chance to train along with the senior side ahead of Sunday’s game against Nottingham Forest.
This follows Lisandro Martinez season ending injury and Raphael Varane’s which could also keep him out for the rest of the campaign, sustained against Sevilla on Thursday night.
Hardley could therefore become a useful player for Erik ten Hag, especially with Harry Maguire suspended for next weeks FA Cup semi-final against Brighton.
Who is Bjorn Hardley
Hardley arrived at United in 2019 from NAC Breda after scout Rene Moonen recommended him.
Yet to make a senior appearance, he has been a regular for United’s under 21s in the Premier League 2, making 23 appearances in total, scoring once.
Ralf Rangnick had him on the bench last season against Young Boys, however he failed to get on.
Hardley is a left-footed centre-back and could see himself as a fill in for Martinez, in the season’s remaining weeks.
Hardley has the qualities to feature in the first team and will therefore, be hoping he can seize his opportunity.
Hailing from the Netherlands, there could be an easy connection for him with Erik ten Hag and assistant Mitchell van der Gaag.
He was joined as several under-21s took part in the training session including forward Mateo Mejia. But amid the centre-back injuries, there would have been particular attention paid to how Hardley fared.
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