Manchester United opened up pre-season with a defeat on Monday evening in Norway, but one Rosenborg player will have caught the eye.
Pre-season kicked off on Monday with a far-from-full-strength Manchester United side heading to Norway, where a 1-0 defeat to Rosenborg awaited.
There were some positives to take from the performance with Radek Vitek shining brightly in goal and Mason Mount in midfield being the other main standout.
But for an on-watching Dan Ashworth and Jason Wilcox, there will have been a standout in white and now they must repeat what happened in 2003.
This being by immediately signing Sverre Nypan, doing what United did to secure Cristiano Ronaldo from Sporting Lisbon, following a friendly in 2003.
Here’s how Nypan did and why he should be signed this summer.
Manchester United must return to Rosenborg for Sverre Nypan
Nypan at just 17, is already a long-term target for Manchester United, stretching back to summer 2023 when he was linked as a target.
To add to the story of Nypan to United, upon Wilcox’s arrival, it was reported that he wanted to sign Nypan who plays like Ander Herrera.
Prior to the game on Monday, the midfield talent even spoke about the interest admitting that it’d be a dream to join United.
Nypan is seen as one of Europe’s top midfield talents and after the match, he reposted on his Instagram story, a fan who wrote “@SverreNypan to United here we go”.
To this, Nypan reposted and added a laughing emoji and a smiling with hearts emoji which suggests he would be open to the idea.
How Nypan played against Man United
Nypan played the first half for Rosenborg against United and he immediately caught the eye, proving why he’s a player that Ashworth and Wilcox should be looking at.
In the 45-minute appearance, Nypan completed 20 of 25 passes completed, with two creating chances. The Norweigan completed six dribbles in the game which from midfield is an excellent quality.
He won 100% of his tackles (2/2), two defensive actions and also two recoveries in the game. He also won eight duels in the game, proving himself to be an all-round midfield.
In Rosenborg’s highlights from the game, Nypan had a few moments which caught the eye, at 1:28 in the video, he played an excellent ball which should’ve been an assist only the bar preventing the goal.
Additionally a near goal at 1:40 from Nypan, only to be denied by Vitek. The teenager was inches away from a two-goal contribution display and this will have impressed the United hierarchy.
He also left Casemiro on the floor with some quick footwork at one point which was incredible to see at such a young age.
While Nypan isn’t ready for the Premier League, Ineos must snap him up to avoid missing out, even if it means letting him conclude the season in Norway.
After that, Ineos could use their connections and loan Nypan to Lausanne where he could develop similarly to Simone Pafundi. Then when he’s ready, United will potentially have a world-class talent signed for a bargain fee.
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