Burkina Faso
Chinese Taipei
Nigeria

Man Utd's first signing under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer given advice by Wayne Rooney

mirror.co.uk, 29 March 2022, 16:09
It's been three years since Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was appointed Manchester United's permanent manager - yet it's been even longer since he made his first signing

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's first window in charge of Manchester United in January 2019 was largely uneventful - making no first-team signings - yet the chequebook was still opened.

The Red Devils signed Noam Emeran from French side Amiens, a promising 16-year-old winger. It was quite the coup for Solskjaer's side, who'd fought off competition from European rivals Paris Saint-Germain and Juventus to lure the talent to Old Trafford.

"I chose Man Utd after discussing it with my family," said Emeran on signing. "I think United were my best option from the offers I had to enable me to play at the top level. It is now down to me to put in the work needed to reach my targets and fulfil my dreams."

The ex-France U16 international also admitted Anthony Martial was one of his role models... and he's getting closer to following in his footsteps by becoming a first-team regular at Old Trafford. Yet it's not been an easy ride for Emeran since his arrival in England.

He was denied the chance to hit the ground running in Manchester due to injury. But United maintained their faith - offering him a professional contract in November 2019 - and they were rewarded when the talent lit up the U18 Premier League last season.

The Frenchman scored five goals and provided six assists in 16 appearances, a fine record for a winger. He also played five games in the Premier League 2 - the competition's reserve division - as well as make the bench for an EFL Trophy fixture against Rochdale.

Are you excited to see Noam Emeran make his Manchester United debut? Let us know in the comments below!

Sadly, injury ended his season in April 2021 and United missed out on the U18 title to Manchester City by just a point. It was a disappointing end, yet he'd shown enough to confirm his talent. "Even more is to come," promised Emeran on Instagram.

The teenager was determined to recover from his injuries after a conversation with Wayne Rooney. "He told me, 'A player makes good or bad his career choice based on his determination,'" Emeran told Le Parisien. "I realised that I had to be demanding of myself."

He's continued to progress this season. Emeran has featured in all of United's last seven Premier League 2 fixtures - scoring in a 5-2 win against Derby - and made his professional debut in the EFL Trophy game against Bradford last September, a 3-0 win.

And Emeran's made the most of the international break, training alongside Juan Mata and Marcus Rashford in the first team with interim manager Ralf Rangnick watching on. He may just have done enough to capture the German's attention.

It's been four months since Solskjaer's time at United came to an end and, it's fair to say, not all of his signings have worked out. Donny van de Beek, for example, is currently on loan at Everton and many are even doubting the brilliance of Cristiano Ronaldo.

Emeran, however, looks like a great bit of business. Injuries have restricted his progress and there are several promising youngsters at the club, including Alejandro Garnacho and Hannibal Mejbri. Even so, United fans should be keeping tabs on the Frenchman.

Top News

17 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk The final match at MAC³PARK Stadion in the 2023-24 Eredivisie season will see PEC Zwolle playing host to Europa League hopefuls FC Twente on Sunday afternoon. 17 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Wellington vs. Victory (Saturday, 7.30am) Wellington Phoenix and Melbourne Victory square off in the second leg of the A-League Finals Series semi-finals on Saturday. 17 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Real Madrid have reportedly dropped their pursuits of Bayern Munich's Alphonso Davies and Lille's Leny Yoro. 17 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Almere City and NEC draw the curtain on their respective 2023-24 Eredivisie seasons with a meeting at the Yanmar Stadion on Sunday afternoon. 17 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has admitted he would like to manage in Spain at some point in his career. 17 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk AZ Alkmaar will be looking to pick up a fifth straight victory when they entertain the challenge of FC Utrecht at the AFAS Stadion on Sunday. 17 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk With the chance to guarantee their La Liga survival ahead of the final day of the season, Celta Vigo will travel to Los Carmenes to meet already-relegated Granada on Sunday. 17 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Concluding a triumphant Ligue 1 campaign, Paris Saint-Germain head to the Stade Saint-Symphorien on Sunday to face a Metz side destined to scrap for survival in the relegation playoffs. 17 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool have reportedly received a major boost in their pursuit of summer target Teun Koopmeiners after Atalanta BC announced their asking price for his signature. 17 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Le Havre are set to take on Marseille at Stade Oceane on Sunday evening in the final matchday of the 2023-24 Ligue 1 season. 17 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Brentford midfielder Josh Dasilva has signed a new contract to keep him at the club until at least 2025. 17 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk A highly-rated Arsenal academy prospect has confirmed that he will be leaving the club when his contract expires at the end of the season. 17 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United and Arsenal will need to act swiftly if they intend to capitalise on the release clause in Jeremie Frimpong's Bayer Leverkusen contract, according to a report. 17 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea could be without as many as seven players for their final Premier League fixture of the season at home against Bournemouth on Sunday afternoon. 17 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea will endeavour to end the 2023-24 campaign on a high by qualifying for European competition when they welcome Bournemouth to Stamford Bridge on Sunday afternoon. 17 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Sevilla will look to bounce back from consecutive defeats when they travel to San Mames for Sunday's La Liga clash with Athletic Bilbao. 17 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea's Cole Palmer has won the Premier League's Young Player of the Season award for the 2023-24 season following an incredible breakthrough campaign. 17 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Sixth-placed Lens are set to take on 12th-placed Montpellier HSC in the final game of the 2023-24 Ligue 1 season at the Stade Bollaert-Delelis on Sunday evening. 17 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Galatasaray have the chance to seal the Turkish Super Lig title when they host arch-rivals and closest challengers Fenerbahce at Rams Park on Sunday. 17 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal midfielder Mohamed Elneny has confirmed that he is leaving the club at the end of the season. 17 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Raphael Varane, Victor Lindelof and Anthony Martial are all training with Manchester United ahead of the team's final match of the 2023-24 Premier League season against Brighton & Hove Albion. 17 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Napoli have reportedly entered the race to sign Manchester United forward Mason Greenwood during this summer's transfer window. 17 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Two midtable sides will go head-to-head when Alaves welcome Getafe to Mendizorroza for Saturday's La Liga contest. 17 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Playing their final home fixture of a stellar Serie A season, champions Inter Milan welcome Lazio to San Siro on Sunday evening. 17 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City will be without first-choice goalkeeper Ederson for Sunday's Premier League title decider against West Ham United at the Etihad Stadium. 17 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk For just the third time in the last 11 years, the Premier League title race will be decided on the final day, with reigning champions Manchester City looking to retain their crown at home against West Ham United on Sunday afternoon. 17 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal's Aaron Ramsdale has reportedly agreed a move to Newcastle United during this summer's transfer window. 17 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Tottenham Hotspur have reportedly held discussions over the signing of Morgan Gibbs-White from Nottingham Forest. 17 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk ARSENAL Gameweek 38 opponents: Everton (H) Out: None Doubtful: Jurrien Timber (knee) ASTON VILLA Gameweek 38 opponents: Palace (A) Out: Emiliano Buendia (knee), Tyrone Mings (knee), Boubacar Kamara (knee), Jacob Ramsey (toe), Morgan Rogers (hamstring), Matty Cash (calf), Youri Tielemans (groin), Nicolo Zaniolo (foot) Doubtful: None Unai Emery quotes: "Zaniolo broke his metatarsal and it is bad news. 17 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Juventus have sacked head coach Massimiliano Allegri just two days after Wednesday's Coppa Italia triumph.