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Manchester United have a long and storied tradition when it comes to fielding young blood.
The Busby Babes and Fergie’s Fledglings dominated the sport for several decades at a stretch, winning multiple major honours, gathering envious glances from the rest of Europe.
United have continued to rely heavily upon the young lads from Carrington, with the likes of Marcus Rashford, Alejandro Garnacho, Anthony Elanga, Scott McTominay and recently Kobiee Mainoo all playing a major part in proceedings this term.
Now, the Red Devils are attempting to add another fresh face to their youth, that is according to Fotbollskanalen, who claim that the 20-time English champions are eagerly tracking the progress of Mjällby AIF’s sensation Otto Rosengren.
Following his side’s 2-0 defeat to Brommapojkarna on Monday, the teenager sat down for an interview with the Swedish outlet and admitted at being ‘shocked’ when he was initially informed of United’s interest in him.
“I didn’t know that club was here, I didn’t even know they had been to Strandvallen. I was shocked when I read about it. I sat at home and saw when it came out, it said that United are scouting me, I was a bit shocked,” Rosengren said.
“It’s nice to hear and it shows that you are doing something well. But I don’t attach too much importance to it,”
“It’s quite powerful. But then, of course, you can’t think about that when you’re playing. But when you think about it, it’s quite big.”
“Just keep playing my game. It’s hard work that got me here, and I want to keep developing. It’s the same job. You can’t be satisfied anywhere; you have to keep going and then there will be good opportunities.”
Hans Larsson, the club’s sporting director, had spoken out about United’s interest in Rosengren to Danish outlet Tipsbladet last week.
The likes of Herenveen and Feyenoord are also keeping tabs on the 19-year-old, and the Dutch duo will rival United for his signature.
The Swedish U21 International has a contract which runs until 2025, and Mjällby are aware that by not selling him this summer they risk his valuation taking a big hit.
Son of club icon Patrik Rosengren, widely dubbed as “the best Swedish player who never got to play an international match”, Otto’s association with Mjällby goes back several decades and the youngster admits he is in no rush to leave Strandvallen at the moment.
“There is interest, but it is nothing concrete as far as I know. You have to take a stand if there is something concrete, an offer or something like that. I have a contract until 2025,” he specified.
With Erik ten Hag at the helm, youth will always get a chance, as evidenced from his spell at Amsterdam.
If he does sign, Rosengren will know that if he can hit the ground running, he can force his way into the manager’s plans, sooner than at most other top European sides.
After all, as the old adage goes, ‘If you’re good enough, you’re old enough’, a sentiment intertwined with United’s legacy.
A legacy the Swede may soon be a part of, come May.
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