Ruben Amorim has a tough task on his hands to restore Manchester United as a force of English – and European – football.
The Red Devils alarmingly finished 15th in the Premier League last season, consequently failing to qualify for any European competition for the 2025/26 campaign.
This – and some financial difficulty – is seemingly making it hard for Manchester United to attract new signings, with Matheus Cunha the only major arrival so far this summer, along with teenage defender Diego Leon.
Having said that, a deal to sign Bryan Mbeumo from Brentford is progressing, albeit very slowly.
Now, even a 20-year-old Norwegian prospect in Eivind Helland has admitted that interest from Manchester United is not exactly tempting him.
Eivind Helland suggests he would reject Manchester United to stay with Brann
Norwegian news outlet VG believe Manchester United representatives were in the stands to watch the central defender take on Viking last Sunday.
Helland helped Brann record a 3-1 win, but after being told Manchester United scouts came to watch him in action, he was largely unmoved.
VG quote the Brann No.26 as saying: “I haven’t thought much about it. It’s just the way it is. That’s the way the football world is. I’m very calm about it. I feel very comfortable here, and my plan is to be here.
“No (no plans to leave Brann for Manchester United). I’m going to play really well with Brann.”
The Norway U21 captain has already made 37 appearances for Brann since turning professional, scoring one goal and providing one assist.
Manchester United have a chance to secure a bargain deal if Eivind Helland interest lingers
Helland may not be interested in Manchester United – who also like Moise Kean – too much at the moment, but if the Red Devils persist with their admiration, a bargain deal could be in the pipeline.
The youngster has less than 24 months remaining on his contract with Brann – which expires in December 2026 – so unless he pens a new deal, Manchester United could secure his signature on a free transfer in the January 2027 window, by which point he may have developed his vast potential even further.
In fact, those on the recruitment team at Old Trafford would be minded to push for a pre-contract agreement, should we reach a stage where the defender only has 12 months left on his terms, rather than run the risk of allowing others to muscle in and sign Helland.