Could there be another reason behind Manchester United’s decision to schedule a pre-season meeting with Rosenborg? An ulterior motive, if you will.
A reason beyond the usual. That is, building up the fitness levels in preparation for a new campaign, while boosting the club’s already hefty fanbase over in Norway. Manchester United opened their pre-season campaign against Leeds in Olso back in 2023, and will always have a special place in the heart of many Norwegians thanks to the memories Ole Gunnar Solskjaer created at Old Trafford.
Suggestions that Norway’s next superstar-in-waiting could follow in Solskjaer’s gilded footsteps are likely to capture the imagination back home in Trondheim. HITC understands that Man United remain keen on Rosenborg wonderkid Sverre Nypan, a player who has been on their radar for at least a year.
Nypan’s camp, HITC adds, are aware of Man United’s interest. And with Chelsea, Brighton, Dortmund, Porto, RB Leipzig and even bitter rivals Manchester City also in hot pursuit of the 17-year-old sensation, do not be surprised if Man United – like back in 2003 when taking on Cristiano Ronaldo’s Sporting Lisbon – use a pre-season fixture to get the jump on their rivals for another of Europe’s most exciting teen talents.
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Manchester United will face Sverre Nypan’s Rosenborg
“Blessed with superb ability to read the game and vision, Nypan has been compared to Martin Odegaard and Frenkie de Jong,” The Guardian write, including Norway’s latest baby-faced whizkid in their annual list of the 60 ‘Best Young Talents in World Football’.
Manchester United have always kept a close eye onfootball’s next big things. But, after Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was frustrated in his pursuit of Jude Bellingham, Erling Haaland and Declan Rice, it appears that new co-owners Ineos are keen to ensure that Man United do not find themselves mourning similar near-misses in the future.
In addition to Nypan, who is already a first-team regular at Rosenborg, United are looking at potential summer deals for Benfica playmaker Joao Neves, Boca Juniors defender Aaron Anselmino and more.
Nypan turns 18 in December, making him eligible to transfer directly to United in January 2025. Ineos could fast-track this in the summer, via Nice or Lausanne.
Norway’s next Martin Odegaard?
“I’ve always been a Manchester United fan,” Nypan told TV2 last year, comments which should give the Red Devils an advantage over Chelsea, City and co. “Then of course there is Real Madrid. I’m a big (Cristiano) Ronaldo fan.”
Nypan already has five goals in Norway’s top flight. He authored two assists, meanwhile, as Rosenborg beat Hearts in the first leg of their Europa Conference League qualifier in August.
“Nypan is extremely exciting,” adds TV2 expert Jesper Mathisen. “And I get a bit of the same feeling as when I saw Odegaard break through as a boy.”