Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has included two Nigerian-eligible teenage defenders, Maximillian Oyedele and Habeeb Ogunneye, in the club's 25-man travelling squad to face Norwegian giants Rosenborg in a pre-season friendly on Monday, according to Soccernet.
Oyedele, 19, and Ogunneye, 18, are part of a young and talented group of players selected by ten Hag for the trip to Norway. The duo will be hoping to impress the United boss and stake a claim for a place in the first team.
Ogunneye, who was close to making his first-team debut last season, has featured prominently in United's youth teams, playing in the U18 Premier League, FA Youth Cup, UEFA Youth League, EFL Trophy, and Premier League 2. He was also named in the matchday squad nine times, including Premier League matches against Manchester City, Liverpool, and Arsenal.
Oyedele, on the other hand, has had loan spells with Forest Green Rovers and Altrincham, gaining valuable first-team experience. Although he is yet to make an official appearance for United's first team, he has been training with the squad and will be eager to make an impact in Norway.
The inclusion of Oyedele and Ogunneye in the travelling squad is a testament to United's commitment to developing young talent and providing opportunities for players to break into the first team. The duo will be joined by experienced defenders like Jonny Evans and seven other players classified as defenders.
Manchester United will face Rosenborg at the Lerkendal Stadium in Norway on Monday before flying to the USA for Tour 2024. The friendly match provides an opportunity for ten Hag to assess his team's preparations for the new season, and for Oyedele and Ogunneye to showcase their skills on the international stage.