Bargain Man Utd target really can become the next Odegaard

Manchester United are seeking to drop the age profile on their squad, with the addition of Chido Obi-Martin from Arsenal the first step to recruiting a group of stars for the future.

The teenage striker, though, is only the start. Ineos have big plans for the Red Devils, with no fewer than three 17-year-old stars of the future being watched by the Old Trafford side with a view to a transfer when they hit 18.

Sverre Nypan of Rosenborg is one of these young stars being tracked by the Red Devils, with the Norwegian commanding a contract that runs until December 2026 and an Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) of just €2.9 million.

It might be a little easy to compare the midfielder to Arsenal star Martin Odegaard given his nationality and position, yet according to data analytics experts SciSports, there is a genuine resemblance between the two – at least in terms of how they interpret a central midfield role.

Odegaard, remember, burst onto the scene when he left in 2015 to join Real Madrid aged just 16, and while such a transfer is no longer possible for Man Utd, they are looking to get in on the ground floor for Nypan.

He is used as an advanced playmaker by Rosenborg while he is already rated as the third-best central midfielder player in Norway’s Eliteserien.

Nypan’s creative abilities stand out, in particular. He is well above average in terms of deep completions, carries, and expected assists (xA), despite playing for a team that is somewhat short of being one of the best in the league.

Interestingly, SciSports believe he has the potential to become a ‘key player’ at Old Trafford.

Nypan v Eliteserien midfielders

United a good option

Manchester United as a destination for the young Norwegian might not be the optimal choice in terms of career development, but according to SciSports, a switch to Old Trafford certainly wouldn’t be a bad choice. With the project turning increasingly towards young players, this is doubly the case.

The data experts give United a Club Fit score of 74 for Nypan as things stand, with the major concern a lack of immediate playing time.

In terms of development, the Old Trafford club scores four stars, while it also gets this mark for playing style and even gets five stars for the formation that is used.

Overall, the Red Devils are ranked 21st in terms of Nypan’s best options, with Serie A side Napoli getting the best Club Fit score with 84.

Man Utd have been following Nypan for over a year now, and with the midfielder admitting that he would love to play for his favourite club in the past, there is a lot to like about this deal. Perhaps the Red Devils will have their own Odegaard before long.