Manchester United began their pre-season with a challenging away game in Norway vs Rosenborg, which finished with a 0-1 loss.
The Norwegian side provided a stern challenge to a youthful United team with a sprinkling of some experienced stars, precisely the kind of pre-season game that helps build fitness.
As with any game, some United players impressed, while others left a lot to be desired. Radek Vitek and Toby Collyer were the standout performers on the day.
Vitek saved United repeatedly with a breathtaking display of goalkeeping while Toby Collyer was a ball-winning machine.
As the pair earned all the plaudits, these three United youngsters flew under the radar despite showing a lot of promise-
Maxi Oyedele
Toby Collyer was the standout presence in defensive midfield but his partner in crime was equally as impressive.
Oyedele showed remarkable composure and calmness in the face of Rosenborg’s intense press as he helped build from the back.
He was happy to put in a tackle or two to showcase his physicality as well, giving United a solid base in front of the defence. He received regular minutes for the U18s last season and handled the step up to U21s nicely too.
His loan spell at Forest Green was ill-advised but he still managed four goals in just over 800 minutes of football. Now back at United and impressing in a deeper midfield role, a loan to a higher division should follow.
Ethan Wheatley
Last season’s goal machine in the academy, Wheatley separated himself from the pack vs Rosenborg by doing the basics right. United were pinned back for most of the game so being a striker in that game was a thankless task.
Still, Wheatley never stopped hurrying and pressing the defenders, even fashioning a couple of chances for himself through sheer will and determination.
End product, especially in term of passing, will come with time but he ticked all the intangibles needed to succeed at United.
His performance aged even better when Joe Hugill came on in the second half and was starved of touches in absence of any service.
Habeeb Ogunneye
The 18-year-old right-back was probably the player whose profile raised the most vs Rosenborg. That is because, in addition to his own encouraging display in the second half, he was a stark improvement on Aaron Wan-Bissaka in the first.
Ogunneye showed attacking thrust and invention despite being under the cosh. His willingness to receive the ball under pressure and carry it forward, either through combination plays or dribbling, is something United miss if Diogo Dalot isn’t present.
He broke through into the U21s side last season itself on the back of great displays for U21s. At just 18, the best case for him should be remaining at the club, training with the first team, and if Wan-Bissaka is sold, play intermittent senior minutes.