5 Things to Know About Noam Emeran After Man Utd Starlet Signs First Professional Contract With Club
By Adam Aladay
Manchester United youngster Noam Emeran has signed his first professional contract with the club, having initially joined back in January.
Following weeks of discussions, Emeran departed French side Amiens and joined the Red Devils. The 17-year-old's start to the new campaign has been hampered by injury, but he is considered to have a very bright future ahead of him.
It is being reported that Emeran has signed a three-year contract, running until the end of the 2021/22 campaign. So, after signing his first professional deal, 90min runs you through five things to know about the talented teenager...
He Attracted Plenty of Interest Prior to His Move
Emeran may have only turned 17 recently, but he has already forged a reputation as one of the most exciting youngsters around. As a result, there were numerous European giants fighting over him.
Barcelona, Juventus, Paris Saint-Germain and the Red Devils were the main contenders, while Arsenal were also keen on the player. However, upon securing his move to the Theatre of Dreams, he told Le Parisien: "Manchester [United] has been more convincing than PSG and Barcelona. The choice was made with my family, and accompanied by my lawyer."
United have retained their reputation as a club with a focus on young players and recently celebrated its 82nd anniversary of a run that has seen a homegrown player named in every matchday squad since October 1937.
He Admires Leroy Sane Among Others
The former Amiens player has previously revealed that former Chelsea player Gael Kakuta and Manchester City's Leroy Sane are two players he admires. Further to this, United forward and fellow countryman Anthony Martial and PSG's Neymar are also players he models his own game on.
Speaking to Amiens' official website back in 2018, Emeran revealed: "I have no model player in the first team [at Amiens], but I really like [Gael] Kakuta's style. Overall, I particularly admire Leroy Sané."
He is a left-footed player, who typically plays on the left hand side, but can also play through the middle. His speed combined with his skill and elegance while dribbling make him a nightmare to defend against. However, his end product is equally impressive, scoring goals with either feet and his head.
He Has Received Advice From Wayne Rooney
United's record goalscorer Wayne Rooney spoke with Emeran back in 2018 at Old Trafford, with the Englishman giving some advice to the young sensation.
"He told me: A player makes good or bad his career choice based on his determination," Emeran told Le Parisien.
"I realised that I had to be demanding of myself. I’m living a dream, but I need to stay grounded because the final goal is far from being reached. I’ll need to work even harder to make it at Manchester United."
Rooney won 16 trophies at United and went on to score 253 goals, with 183 coming in the Premier League. A true legend of the club and his advice to Emeran will certainly have given the teenager added motivation to progress and make a breakthrough at the club.
His Father Was a Professional Footballer
Fritz Emeran, Noam's father, was a professional footballer, featuring for numerous clubs in his time - making over 430 appearances in total.
The former right back had spells with Monaco B, Saint-Leu, Genk and Gueugnon, while he also earned six caps playing for Rwanda between 2005 and 2007.
Emeran Convinced Another Talented French Youngster to Join the Red Devils
After Hannibal Mejbri completed his transfer in the summer, he spoke of his delight at joining the club, but also revealed that Emeran advised him to make the switch to Old Trafford.
Speaking to Le Parisien, he claimed: "Yes, as we share the same training facilities and the weight room, I will often be able to mix with Pogba and Martial.
"Among young people, there is also Noam Emeran. We were together in Clairefontaine. I spoke to him on the phone, he said: 'Here it’s really good, come on!'"
Emeran was clearly keen to advise his fellow teen sensation to join and United fans will be excited to see the pair develop.