Exclusive: Manchester United expect young star to sign contract extension at Old Trafford

Manchester United signed Mateo Mejía from Real Zaragoza’s youth system in the summer of 2019.

Mejía, now 20, is rated highly in United’s youth ranks and the versatile forward solidified a place in the club’s under-21s side last term after struggles with injuries beforehand.

Following United’s announcement of their retained list for the upcoming season, it was stated that the Columbian – whose contract at Old Trafford expires at the end of June – had been offered new terms by the club.

UtdDistrict understands that the club’s expectation is that the young forward will sign the new deal before the end of the month.

The upcoming season could potentially see Mejía loaned out to play first-team football. One club source has explained that United’s academy philosophy, led by Nick Cox, is to send players out when they are ready to play regularly in the men’s game, unless first-team boss Erik ten Hag wants them to remain at Carrington.

Although, after multiple interrupted campaigns beforehand, the Columbian might seek to continue playing consistently in the Premier League 2 before the club reassesses his situation either in January next year, or at the end of the season.

Isak Hansen Aaroen is another young star who could fit the bill to be sent out on loan. The Norwegian midfielder has caught the eye in training at Carrington, according to Fredrik Filtvedt, and was pictured alongside the United squad at Wembley before their FA Cup Final defeat against Manchester City at the start of June.

It is understood that Hansen Aaroen was included in first-team training in the build-up to that game following injuries to forward players such as Anthony Martial and Antony – he was deemed best placed by Ten Hag to support the squad in training as well as being a potential option on the bench if required.

A source added that Ten Hag and his coaching staff are aware of the midfielder’s talents. The United boss is said to work fairly closely with the under-21 coaches and regularly introduces different players to the first-team training environment. We have seen the likes of Hansen Aaroen, Dan Gore, Willy Kambwala and Marc Jurado included within recent months.