Manchester United risk losing academy star for free after first-team debut

Omari Forson was back playing for the U23s last month

Manchester United are still hoping to agree a new contract with teenager Omari Forson, despite the mounting possibility of losing him on a free transfer at the end of the season.

The 19-year-old made his senior debut in the FA Cup win over Wigan at the start of January and set-up the winning goal on his Premier League debut against Wolves a month later. He made his full debut in the Premier League defeat to Fulham and also featured from the bench in the Manchester derby defeat to Man City.

Forson has trained with the United first-team squad since last summer but is yet to earn a permanent place in the first-team dressing room as he looks to make the permanent breakthrough to the senior set-up.

He is highly-rated by manager Erik ten Hag but there are doubts over whether or not United can offer the player the opportunities he would like to have going forward, with the two parties still at a stand-off over new terms.

ManchesterWorld understand United are still eager to tie Forson down to a new deal with sources claiming he has already 'come close' to agreeing a new deal on a couple of occasions. However, there are growing doubts over the prolonged saga and time is ticking with his current deal set to expire on 30 June.

United signed Forson from Tottenham in January 2019 and fought off serious interest from Arsenal the following year as they looked to poach him on a professional deal. The young forward has steadily risen through the youth ranks and played a role in the FA Youth Cup success alongside Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo two years ago.

A number of clubs across Europe are understood to be monitoring his uncertain situation and United would still receive compensation if he were to leave the club for free at the end of the season.

Forson was an unused substitute for the dramatic FA Cup win over Liverpool, but has not featured in either of their last two Premier League matchday squads. However, he did play the entirety of the match for United U23s against West Brom two weeks ago.