19-year-old wonderkid Omari Forson has travelled with the Manchester United squad for their Champions League tie against FC Copenhagen amid Erik ten Hag's desperate plea to keep the teenager at Old Trafford.
Forson is widely regarded as one of the club’s most exciting prospects, having already featured for the first team over the summer.
The versatile forward, who is able to play in a variety of positions across the attacking line, was among the substitutes for United's Champions League 4-3 defeat to Bayern Munich earlier this season.
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Forson only signed a professional deal two years ago, having previously been enrolled in both West Ham and Tottenham's academy. However, the Englishman's current deal is due to expire at the end of the season, with plenty of clubs both in the Premier League and overseas expected to be interested in his signature.
And Ten Hag will be keen to avoid losing the youngster as United did with Angel Gomes back in 2020, who is currently thriving at new club Lille.
Forson was spotted training with the first team squad in the lead-up to United's Champions League tie against FC Copenhagen, and the club have since named him in their travelling squad to Denmark.
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It remains to be seen whether the player will be handed his official debut for the club, but his inclusion demonstrates Ten Hag's trust in youth.
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To many supporters' disappointment, fellow academy starlet Kobbie Mainoo has not been called up to training, despite returning from injury recently and putting on a dazzling display against Salford last week for United's under 21s.
Forson, like Mainoo, was heavily involved for United in pre-season, featuring in five of the Red Devils' eight games, with the teenager vowing to "keep pushing" for first-team opportunities.
"I've learned so much – good habits on and off the pitch – and I've really enjoyed my time since the start of pre-season," he told MUTV in August.
"There's a lot to learn – you've got to keep learning. The learning never stops, especially because I'm young. At United, you'll be given opportunities, and that's important, definitely. But I can't get complacent, I'll keep pushing and hopefully opportunities will come.
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"It's crazy, something I haven't experienced before. It's been a really good experience going over to these countries."
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Topics: Manchester United, Football, Angel Gomes, Erik Ten Hag, Premier League