Date: 10th November 2009 at 1:52pm
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It’s around this time every season that the media begin to gush over Arsenal’s youngsters. A string of good performances in the Carling Cup and suddenly they are world beaters but as good as Arsenal’s youngsters are, Man United’s are not too shabby either.

With Kiko Macheda, Danny Welbeck and Brazilian twins Rafael and Fabio all in the first team picture, a new crop of youngsters are just waiting to make the jump from the reserves to the first team.

There is an abundance of talent in United’s lower ranks with Ritchie De Laet performing when called upon first team duty, Tom Cleverley impressing whilst on loan at Watford and the high profile signings of talented young players like Paul Pogba from Le Harve and Davide Petrucci from Roma.

Yet probably one of the most impressive is one you may not heard of, Magnus Eikrem.

The Norwegian is a product of ’s soccer school and is regarded as one of Norway’s most promising talents along with United team mate Josh King.

From the soccer school, the diabetic Eikrem was quickly snapped up by Solskjaer’s old team after a spell there in the youth academy he joined United in 2006 at the behest of Solskjaer.

He carried on where he left off at Molde flourished in the academy. In 2008/2009 moved to the reserves and made the transition look easy as he notched up 20 appearances and 2 goals, one of which being a stunning free kick against Middlesbrough.

Afterwards Solskjaer told MUTV, “We know Magnus is a talented player. I’ve known him since he was 12 years of age and of course I’m very, very pleased for him when he scores goals like this.”

A growth spurt and dedication in the gym has seen Eikrem this season develop the kind of stature that allows him to impose himself on games and has easily been Manchester United most impressive reserve player, grabbing a brace along with Josh King in a 4-0 win against Sunderland.

This performance lead to him being given a squad number for the season (42) as well as a place on the bench in United’s Carling Cup victory over Wolves.

Eikrem’s good form is not lost on Sir Alex Ferguson who reportedly gave Eikrem a new 4 year contract on £6000 a week contract in October, which for a reserve player is quite something.

Eikrem has great vision and passing which he puts to great effect in raking up assists as well as being a very intelligent player knowing when to hold on to the ball and when to release it but his best attribute is his lethal set pieces. Solskjaer remarked, “He practices them all the time, every single day in training sessions.”

His dedication to improving his delivery as well as shooting from dead ball situations is reminiscent of former United legend, David Beckham and if ’s words and Sir Alex Ferguson’s faith are to be believed who is to say he won’t reach the same heights?

 

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