Manchester United youngster Bjorn Hardley trained with the first-team on Monday ahead of their trip to face Atalanta in the Champions League.
Hardley, 18, was seen taking part in the senior session alongside fellow centre-backs Harry Maguire and Raphael Varane in preparation for the pivotal European match on Tuesday night.
The teenage Dutch defender has impressed for the club at youth level this season and has surprised many with his progress since a low-key arrival from NAC Breda in 2019.
Hardley has shone away from the spotlight following his promotion to the Under-23s side and has benefited this season from the guidance of Teden Mengi and player-coach Paul McShane.
Earlier this year United’s academy scout in Holland, Rene Moonen, revealed how he identified Hardley and tipped off club officials.
“He (Hardley) had not attracted the attention of any other club - understandable, given that very few scouts come to see NAC Breda,” Moonen told JOGO.
“The advantage of my work method is that I go everywhere and therefore was able to see him in action. Right away, my mouth fell wide open: ‘Wow, this is a special kid.'
“Then I started to follow him more intensively, even together with a fellow Manchester United scout from the Netherlands (Roy Beukenkamp). He was also immediately blown away, after which four more people from United saw him in action in different matches. In the end, everyone was enthusiastic and now he plays for us.
“The transfer was quite the talk of the town. How could it happen that a boy from NAC Breda ends up at Manchester United? That’s the thrill I get from my work and the result of knowing all the players out there.
“Once I’ve seen a player that stands out, I will check him out about eight more times that football year. If it’s a player who proves interesting, then I want to see him at least 10 more times in action in each of the following seasons. So by the time I give my blessing, I will have watched him at least 35 times.”
