In February, Isak Hansen-Aarøen (19) chose to retire at Manchester United. Now the northerner explains why.
Hansen-Aarøen has only spoken to Werder Bremen’s own media channels after the transfer. In an interview with united.no, the Norwegian says that he felt it was time for new challenges after three and a half years in Manchester United’s academy.
– I wanted to go to a club where I had the opportunity to show how good a footballer I am, and a place where I could get a few more chances, explains Hansen-Aarøen in Supporterklubben’s “Uno” podcast.
The 19-year-old was on an expiring contract at Manchester United. Earlier this winter, united.no could report that the club wanted to keep the midfielder, but that the Norwegian was considering the future. It eventually ended with a permanent transfer to Werder Bremen after intense negotiations between United and the German club.
– It was what felt right, and then it turned out that way, says Hansen-Aarøen.
– Was taken care of
Hansen-Aarøen signed for Manchester United in the summer window in 2020, and said at the time in an interview with united.no that he left Liverpool in favor of his favorite club.
The Norwegian was for several years one of the key players in a talented United generation with players such as Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo.
– I came when I was very young, and I feel that I have learned a lot not only on the pitch, but also off the pitch. So yes, I look back on it as a good time, he says.
– The most important thing is that they have taken care of me as a person. Football-wise, I feel that I am in a very good place now, so I must have done something right.
He himself highlights the victory in the FA Youth Cup in 2022 in front of almost 68,000 spectators at Old Trafford as the big highlight.
– We were a group of good friends on the U18 team, and it was a fun experience we had together.
Brings out Fernandes
In the last two seasons, Hansen-Aarøen has had to show off at regular intervals at the first team training sessions at Carrington.
Erik ten Hag gave the youngster his unofficial debut against Rayo Vallecano a few months after the aforementioned FA Youth Cup final. The following year, Tromsøværing made his mark with a goal-scoring pass in the 2-0 win against Leeds “at home” at the Ullevaal stadium.
– It must have been a dream to be at these first team training sessions?
– It’s strange about it, because you suddenly get used to it too. So it was just part of my everyday life. But that’s what you want – to train with the best, and be around the best. I have big ambitions, so it was a lot of fun.
– It was a very nice group who took care of the younger players who came up. Then it becomes easy to think that you should only do as well as you can football-wise.
– Who do you think was the most impressive to see in action at Carrington, of those you trained with?
– Bruno Fernandes was solid throughout the time I was there!
Hansen-Aarøen has not made his debut for Werder Bremen at the time of writing, but sat on the bench for two games before the national team break. The German team is in 10th place in the Bundesliga.
