Isak Hansen-Aaroen’s Manchester United contract expires this summer and the ‘incredibly exciting’ youngster is now being tipped to pursue a move away from the Premier League giants.
When the Norway under-21 international was spotted training with Manchester United’s first team ahead of Monday’s FA Cup third-round clash with Wigan Athletic, we probably weren’t alone in believing that a long-awaited Red Devils bow could have been on the cards.
There was considerable surprise, then, when the Man United squad was released for that trip to The Latics. Isak Hansen-Aaroen’s name was nowhere to be seen.
One of the brightest talents to emerge from the club’s feted academy in recent years was left out of Erik ten Hag’s traveling roster in its entirety, the presence of two goalkeepers on the United bench adding insult to (metaphorical) injury.
The Manchester Evening News now reports that Hansen-Aaroen – ‘disappointed’ with his lack of opportunities – has serious doubts about extending his contract. A contract which is due to expire on July 1st (Transfermarkt).
And who can blame him? Especially with clubs of the stature of Napoli, Atletico Madrid, and Ajax fluttering their eyelashes in his direction?
“It is incomprehensible,” Fredrik Filtvedt, a reporter for Manchester United’s Norwegian website, tells VG. “That there is room for two goalkeepers on the bench and not for him,”
Manchester United fan who dreamed of watching the team saw the Red Devils for the first time when he played against them, Alejandro Garnacho responds
“If the club says that they want to keep you, but don’t have a place for you in simple matches… I think that, for his good, he should find another place to play football.
“I thought he was incredibly exciting (when rising through the ranks).”
The stylish, silky Hansen-Aaroen, who has been likened to Lionel Messi and hailed by a Man City ace, could leave United without a transfer fee this summer. He is also now free to talk to interested clubs from outside of the UK. And there is certainly no shortage of those.
European giants are circling
“It was a bit disappointing,” sighs Jonas Johansen who, like Hansen-Aaroen, represented Tromso in Norway. “As (United) have several players out, I thought he would be an attacking option. It was very surprising (to see him miss out vs Wigan).
“Isak has many skills that not many others have. With those qualities and with his achievements in the under-21 team, he should be in a first-team squad.
“My recommendation to him is that he finds a new club, where he will have the opportunity to fight for playing time in the first team. He is at the age where he should play regularly for a first team.
“I expect a change of club. But whether (he will leave) will be now or this summer, we will see.”
Hansen-Aaroen’s lack of first-team chances is in stark contrast to teenage duo Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo, United’s stand-out performers in that 2-0 Wigan win.
