Abubacarr Sedi Kinteh: Everything Norwegian experts and coaches have said about the Man Utd target

Manchester United are eyeing a possible raid on Norwegian club Tromso for Abubacarr Sedi Kinteh.

This upcoming pre-season Manchester United are expected to head to Scandinavia instead of the US or Asia. And there could be an additional reason for the club to be taking an interest in the region.

According to reports, United are eyeing a move for Tromso wonderkid Abubacarr Sedi Kinteh.

The Daily Mail report that United are watching the talented centre-back, along with several European clubs

Kinteh, 19, joined Tromso from a Senegalese academy, but hails from The Gambia, who he already represents at international level.

Despite only signing with Tromso last March, Kinteh has made a big impression in Norwegian football.

What Tromso say about Abubacarr Sedi Kinteh

Tromso have already had to fend off interest from other clubs, receiving a £4 million offer from Czech side Slavia Prague.

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Nettavisen reports that Tromso rejected the move as it is early in Kinteh’s development and they are confident he will later command a higher fee.

He is under contract to 2029, and Tromso also have a sell-on clause in their previous agreement with Kinteh’s former academy in Senegal.

Tromso coach Jorgen Vik, coach told NRK last season: “I hope he stays here for many years. He brings confidence to the team.

“He’s been good in the games he’s played, but there are a lot of things he can do even better.”

Lars Petter Kræmer Andressen, Tromso’s sports director, told VG about future bids: “They have to come up with a very high sum.”

He added via NRK: “He has played few games for us. We want him to contribute for a longer period of time. And it is not that precarious for us to sell right now.”

Experienced teammate Ruben Kristiansen added: “I saw early on that this is something very special. When you are 18 years old with that left foot and physique, you can go far. This is a diamond.”

Kinteh’s agent Jonas Zefrati Thorstensen added: “Everyone loves him. The guys on the team, the supporters, the fans and everyone around the club.

“It’s not a given when you make a move like that to another country, but he’s always smiling and such a nice guy. He’s also tough and brutal on the pitch.”

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What the Norwegian analysts say

It is not just those from within the club and close to Abubacarr Sedi Kinteh who are impressed.

TV 2 commentator Morten Langli has backed Kinteh as one of the most exciting players ever to emerge in the Eliteserien.

“What pace, what strength he has. He is one of the most talented defenders we have ever seen in Norwegian football.”

Another TV 2 expert Jesper Mathisen added: “He has such a physique, and is so good and confident with the ball.

“It’s a shame that he doesn’t have a Norwegian passport, because then he would have been a regular on the Norwegian national team. He will soon be playing for a really big club.”

Former Brann and Staebak player Yaw Amankwah, now a pundit, also told TV2 that he admires Kinteh’s aggressive mindset when he is defending.

“It’s one thing that he has the physique, but he also loves to use it. It almost looks like he enjoys it when he sticks out a shoulder and pushes older players away as if they were rag dolls.”

Norwegian outlet Nordlys also ponders: “He is perhaps the greatest talent Tromso has ever had.”

Kinteh has currently played 25 games for Tromso, more than 2,000 minutes of football, scoring once.

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Tromso’s recent sales and dealings with Manchester United

Tromso sold another promising player in recent years who is now establishing themselves as a Premier League star.

El Hadji Malick Diouf has been starring for West Ham, after beginning his career at Tromso and later joining Slavia Prague, the club who tried to buy Kinteh last year.

Manchester United raided Tromso in 2020 to sign Isak Hansen-Aaroen, who had made his first team debut at just 15.

Hansen-Aaroen impressed initially, helping United win the FA Youth Cup in 2022, but left the club two years later and recently joined Dutch side NEC.

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