Tromso defender monitored by Manchester United

Manchester United are expected to be busy in the summer with news about potentially signing Newcastle United’s Sandro Tonali coming out recently.

The club have also shown interest in defenders with Hugo Fernandez being added to their transfer targets list.

The recruitment team continue to scan emerging markets in Europe, and Scandinavia has quietly become an area of renewed interest in recent seasons.

With the club placing greater emphasis on long-term squad planning and age-profile balance, United have increasingly been linked with young defenders developing outside the traditional top leagues.

One such name now appearing on the club’s radar is Sedi Kinteh, a highly rated teenager currently plying his trade in Norway.

The 19-year-old Gambian defender plays for Tromso IL, where he has impressed with a combination of athleticism, versatility and recovery pace.

If the Red Devils do end up signing him, it wouldn’t be the first time the club signed from Tromso IL.

Isak Hansen-Aaroen joined Manchester United in 2020 from the Norwegian side before leaving for German side Werder Bremen and is now playing in the Dutch Eredivisie with NEC Nijmegen.

Comfortable operating as a centre-back or at left-back, Kinteh’s speed across the ground has become one of his standout traits, particularly in defensive transition.

According to the Daily Mail, Manchester Untied are among several clubs monitoring Kinteh’s progress this season, though there is currently no suggestion of a formal approach or active negotiations.

The report stresses that United’s interest is observational rather than advanced, with the club simply keeping tags on his development in the Eliteserien.

Competition for the youngster’s signature could eventually be fierce.

Chelsea FC are also believed to be tracking Kinteh, while interest has emerged from continental Europe, including FC Basel and BSC Young Boys.

Despite that attention, United are not thought to view Sedi Kinteh as a priority target at this stage.

Internally, his age profile and playing style are considered similar to another young defender the club rate highly, Ayden Heaven, which may explain why any potential move remains on the back burner.

Tromso, for their part, are under no immediate pressure to sell.

Kinteh has already been tied down to a long-term, five-year contract, giving the Norwegian club strong control over his future and leverage should interest turn concrete.

For now, this remains a classic “watching brief” from United rather than a transfer push – but it underlines how closely the club continue to follow emerging defensive talent across Europe.