Young forward Manchester United sold endures tough start at new club with no goals yet

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Noam Emeran only needed 20 minutes to make his mark for Manchester United in pre-season, stepping off the bench to break the deadlock in a 2-0 friendly victory over old rivals Leeds in Oslo.

With an assist on only his second appearance since leaving the Premier League giants and moving to the Netherlands only a few weeks later, Emeran came flying out the blocks at his new club too. Setting up the decisive strike in Groningen’s 2-0 away win at FC Oss in September.

That, however, is as good as things have got for Noam Emeran in his new, Dutch home. So far, at least.

That dazzling Leeds cameo proved to be something of a false dawn in the winger’s Man United career – sold by Erik ten Hag for just £700,000 a few weeks later – and, should things carry on as they are at present, his match-changing introduction against FC Oss may soon be viewed in a similar light.

Manchester United sent Noam Emeran to Groningen

That 65th minute assist remains Emeran’s only goal contribution as a Groningen player. The France-born forward hasn’t started a game for his new employers in almost two months either, spending the last couple of Eerste Divisie matches stuck on the bench. Groningen coach Dick Lukkien opted against turning to Emeran even when De FC were crying out for a goal during a 2-1 defeat at Cambuur and a 2-2 draw with Dordrecht.

There is, of course, plenty of time on Emeran’s side. He only turned 21 in September. And, after four years of reserve-team action at Manchester United, Emeran is in a first-team environment for the very first time, Lukkien perhaps wary of throwing his summer signing in at the deep end.

‘A good environment’

“I think Groningen is a good environment for Noam,” Emeran’s mother, Agnes, told RTV Noord back in August. “We chose this club because it is a friendly and family club, and I think he needs this step to be able to take a step up.

“For him, it is the most important thing to play now. I think Groningen is a great place for that. He learned a lot in Manchester. But I think it’s time for the next step now.”