Wonderkid leaves Man Utd as Ten Hag gamble backfires

Tom Weber

• Updated: 4 Jun 2024 14:34 BST
• 3 min read

Omari Forson is set to leave Manchester United, according to Fabrizio Romano.

The Italian transfer expert reports that the highly-rated attacker will depart Man Utd upon the expiration of his contract this summer. The Red Devils had tried to convince the 19-year-old to extend his stay at Old Trafford, but the player is keen on a new challenge.

According to Romano, the versatile forward has no shortage of suitors, though his next destination is not yet clear. Forson has struggled to feature regularly for the first team and it seems that a gamble made by Erik ten Hag has officially backfired.

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In February, after Forson had impressed in cameo appearances as a substitute, Ten Hag surprisingly handed the teenager his Premier League starting debut against Fulham at Old Trafford.

Ten Hag's failed attempt

It was the Dutchman's way of showing Forson that he had a future at the club and would be used if his performances were up to scratch. It was his attempt to sway the attacker into accepting the offer he had on the table.

However, it did not yield success. Forson is now set to leave, likely because only featured in 11 more Premier League minutes following his 53 minutes against the Cottagers, and Ten Hag likely also antagonised some other players with his gamble.

Not only did Forson prove ineffective against Fulham - Man Utd would go on to lose 2-1 - but his starting berth also came at the expense of €95 million Antony and Amad Diallo.

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While it was understandable to drop Antony - he finished the season with one Premier League goal and one assist to his name - many were surprised that Diallo was not given a chance.

It surely didn't go down well with the Ivorian who would eventually proceed to remove all Man Utd-related content from his social media channels. It is possible that both Diallo and Antony join Forson on the exit ramp this summer.