Here are your Friday morning Manchester United headlines.
Lens Friendly confirmed
Manchester United will welcome French side RC Lens to Old Trafford for a pre-season friendly on August 5.
The Manchester Evening News understands United will play two friendlies on the weekend of August 5/6, with manager Erik ten Hag keen to ensure as many of his squad as possible are match-fit going into the new season.
Lens confirmed on Thursday afternoon that they will head to M16 on the Saturday, with a second friendly against Athletic Bilbao in Dublin believed to be pencilled in for the Sunday.
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The decision to squeeze two extra games in on that weekend came following FA Cup final defeat at the hands of Manchester City. Victory at Wembley would have seen the Reds take on Arsenal in the Community Shield that weekend.
Norkett joins Forest
Former Manchester United academy product Manni Norkett has completed a move to Nottingham Forest.
The 18-year-old was released by the Reds in the summer and returns to his hometown club after more than 40 appearances for United’s academy teams. Norkett, who initially came through Forest’s youth system, enjoyed a brief loan spell at non-league Gainsborough Trinity between December 2021 and January 2022, but failed to make a senior United debut.
He made his maiden appearance for United’s Under-21s against Sunderland in the EFL Trophy in October 2021 before netting nine times for the Under-18 Premier League last season. He also scored against Crystal Palace in December’s FA Youth Cup win.
A statement from United said: “The Academy always supports our graduates and celebrates their success after leaving the club. We would like to wish Manni the very best of luck at Forest, and hope to come across him in Premier League 2 next season.”
