Manchester United youngster moves to Werder Bremen after snubbing Old Trafford contract offers because he didn’t see a route into Erik ten Hag’s first team

Manchester United‘s Isak Hansen-Aaroen is on his way to join Werder Bremen today as he didn’t see a first team pathway at Old Trafford.

The 19-year-old turned down contract offers and it became increasingly clear to United that he was not going to accept what was proposed regardless of terms on offer.

Indeed, United are understood to have considered his representatives’ wage demands unrealistic and unlikely to be matched elsewhere.

Though the Norway U21 international was highly regarded by coaching staff, he did not see a clear pathway to the first team, though he made three substitute appearances last season.

United would have still been due training compensation should Hansen-Aaroen have left at the end of his contract but they have moved to secure a fee now with Bremen and to bring in a higher amount than the usual £300,000 compensation. 

The Norway Under-21 international was highly-regarded but didn’t see a first-team pathway

19-year-old Hansen-Aaroen didn’t believe there was a plan to get into Erik ten Hag’s first team

United have also ensured they have significant add-ons in the deal, a high percentage sell-on and future matching rights.

The Norwegian was in Tromso’s youth teams and made his senior debut in July 2020 to become the club’s youngest player at 15 years and 323 days.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was in charge at United when he signed for them a month later and he was part of the under-18 side that won the FA Youth Cup in 2022.

United beat Nottingham Forest 3-1 in that final at Old Trafford with Alejandro Garnacho scoring two of their goals.

But while Garnacho has progressed to become a first-team regular for Ten Hag, Hansen-Aaroen remained in United’s under-23 side.

Bremen are currently ninth in the Bundesliga table.