The stylish Isak Hansen-Aaroen grabbed an assist as Manchester United beat Leeds in pre-season with Erik ten Hag hailing the teenager’s impact off the bench.
With the likes of Bruno Fernandes, Marcus Rashford, Antony and Casemiro not yet available, Ten Hag gave Manchester United’s next generation the chance to prove that the kids are indeed ‘alright’ as the Red Devils took on old rivals Leeds in Oslo.
Kobbie Mainoo was outstanding in the number six role; arguably United’s brightest teenage talent living up to the considerable hype.
Alvaro Fernandez, Amad Diallo and Hannibal Mejbri excelled in the first half too, emboldened by successful loan spells in the Championship.
Noam Emeran and Joe Hugill, meanwhile, scored the goals for a much-changed United side in the second 45, meanwhile; 18-year-old Isak Hansen-Aaroen breaking Leeds’ resistance with a perfectly-weighted pass to set up the former after the hour.
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Kids shine as Man United defeat Leeds in pre-season
“He had a good pass on the first goal,” Ten Hag told the Man United website of Hansen-Aaroen, the 2020 signing from Tromso catching the eye on his return to Norway.
“You can see that he is very comfortable with the ball. He also had some nice jabs (passes) and showed good vision.
“He is, of course, a young player. (Hansen-Aaroen) has some small things to work on. But we want to tell him that, show him and then work with him to get the right movements.”
USA tour just a week away
Hansen-Aaroen, who will turn 19 in August, is a regular for Man United’s U23 side these days. And while Ten Hag was reluctant to confirm whether or not he would be included in the tour of the USA next week, Hansen-Aaroen – like Mainoo, Mejbri, Emeran and co – has certainly done his chances no harm.
“I can’t say anything about it now. We are one week away,” Ten Hag adds. “(But) he is doing very well, as are other youngsters.
“I am very satisfied with the first week we have worked.”
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