Manchester United's Norwegian Prodigy Backed For Success

Former Manchester United defender Ronny Johnson has backed the club's "amazing talent" Mats Daehli to prosper at Old Trafford as he continues to develop through the club's youth ranks.

The 18-year-old is recognised as one of Norway's brightest prospects, having been initially lured to Manchester by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer during the United legend's spell in charge of the reserve ranks.

Two years on from his arrival, Daehli's progress has been commendable. A versatile midfielder with an excellent range of passing with a clear and constant awareness of what is going on around him, the teenager has been named as one of the current crop of young talents destined to follow the likes of Jonny Evans, Danny Welbeck and Tom Cleverley from reserve ranks into the first team someday.

Although the diminutive Daelhi still needs to adapt to the added physical demands of Under-21 football next season, former defender Johnson believes United fans have every reason to be excited by the potential of the youngster.

"Mats is an amazing talent," Johnson, who spent six years at Old Trafford lifting the Treble along the way, told United's official website.

"It is going to be fun to watch him develop. He is still very young but is a player than Norway needs to come through now.

"Hopefully, he is going to get there and it will go the right way for him as the future looks bright."

"Of course, he is in the right place and it's very nice for him. He's young but has a proper mentality for the game as well so he is going to be somebody worth watching."

Daehli is expected to continue his progression through the United ranks next season and play a prominent role in Warren Joyce's Under-21 side, who will be looking to defend their title after winning last season's inaugural Under-21 Premier League crown.