Omari Forson is set to join Serie A club Monza when his contract at Manchester United expires this month.
The Athletic reported earlier this month that the 19-year-old was expected to leave United this summer after failing to agree terms on a new deal.
Forson made seven first-team appearances for United after making his debut in the FA Cup third round victory at Wigan Athletic in January.
The teenager provided the assist for Kobbie Mainoo’s winning goal against Wolverhampton Wanderers in stoppage time on February 1 and he made his first senior start later that month at home to Fulham in the Premier League, when he was selected ahead of Amad and Antony.
Forson joined United in January 2019 from Tottenham Hotspur and rose through the ranks of the club’s youth teams, featuring in the Under-18s FA Youth Cup-winning team in 2022 — alongside current first-team stars Mainoo and Alejandro Garnacho.
Monza finished 12th last season in Serie A — and are preparing for their third successive campaign in the Italian top flight.
![Forson (right) assisted Mainoo’s winner at Wolves (Naomi Baker/Getty Images)](https://cdn.theathletic.com/app/uploads/2024/06/11044258/GettyImages-1978519868-2048x1366-1.jpg)
Forson (right) assisted Mainoo’s winner at Wolves (Naomi Baker/Getty Images)
First-team minutes not enough to convince Forson to stay
There was optimism earlier this season that Forson would sign a new contract and extend his stay at Old Trafford but the longer that negotiations went on, the less likely it was that he would remain a United player.
Erik ten Hag showed Forson a pathway to senior football — handing him his debut in January, his first start in February and several cameos as a substitute along the way, but taste of first-team football was not enough to convince the youngster to put pen to paper.
Although he leaves as a free agent, United will be due a compensation fee for the 19-year-old and the club’s academy is blessed with other young talents who play in the same position, such as the highly-rated Shea Lacey.
(Mike Egerton/PA Images via Getty Images)