Omari Forson has pledged to demonstrate why Erik ten Hag rated him so highly after leaving Manchester United for Monza.
Forson, 19, made his senior debut under Ten Hag as United beat Wolves in February. He played seven times for the Red Devils’ first team, starting once against Fulham in the Premier League, but was unable to agree a contract extension. Despite late efforts from the English club to keep him around, Forson has opted to fly the nest. Monza confirmed his arrival on Tuesday, with the Englishman signing a contract until the summer of 2028.
“Appreciate all the opportunities you gave me,” Forson wrote in an Instagram story, along with a photo of himself with Ten Hag. “Gonna show the world what you saw in me a long time ago.”
A number of other graduates of Manchester United’s academy congratulated Forson on his move on social media. “Good luck broski,” wrote Dan Gore, with Shola Shoretire saying “All the best my g”.
Di’shon Bernard and Maxi Oyedele were among the others to send messages to the teenager, who also got support from some of his fellow England youth internationals.
“Go time!” was the verdict of Benicio Baker-Boaitey, the England Under-20 winger who made his Premier League bow with Brighton this season.
Forson has represented England from Under-15 up to Under-20 level. He was involved in an October double-header for the Under-20s against Romania and Portugal, alongside fellow Premier League players including Dane Scarlett, Divin Mubama and Lewis Hall.
Forson has become Monza’s first signing ahead of the 2024-25 season. The Italian side finished in mid-table last term under Raffaele Palladino, just their second season back in Serie A.
He becomes just the latest in a growing number of English players to make the move to Italy. Two of those players are at AC Milan, with Ruben Loftus-Cheek joining former Chelsea colleague Fikayo Tomori at the San Siro.
Roma also have two Englishmen on their books. Former Manchester United centre-back Chris Smalling has been at the Stadio Olimpico since 2019, while Tammy Abraham has been there since 2021, while the English contingent in Serie A is completed by Juventus’ Samuel Iling-Junior and Udinese striker Keinan Davis.
Forson is one of a number of Manchester United players leaving Old Trafford at the end of June when their contracts expire. Raphael Varane, Anthony Martial and Brandon Williams are the senior players due to leave, while academy talents including Charlie McNeill and player-coach Tom Huddlestone are also moving on.
