MANCHESTER UNITED SUMMER SIGNINGS 97

In: Teddy Sheringham (Tottenham) £3.5million
Eric Nevland (Viking ,Stavanger) undisclosed

Out: Colin Murdock (Preston North End),
Patrick McGibbon (Wigan) £250,000,
Jonathan Macken (Preston North End) £250,000.


Stats on Erik Nevland   

Born : 10.Nov 1977
Height : 178 cm
Weight : 70 kg
Position : Striker
Previous clubs : Viking Stavanger (Norway)
Trainee : Professional : Internationals : 1 U20

Honours : Norwegian Youth Cup Champion with Viking 1995.
Norwegian Youth Cup Runner-Up with Viking 1996.
Personal Honours : Viking 2 (2nd division) top scorer 1996.
Other sports: Hockey/handball     Hobby: Cinema        
Ambition: To be the best in the business!

Erik Nevland made his debut for Viking on the last game of the 1996 season when he came on as a sub four minutes from time against Molde.

He scored two goals in the semi-final of the Youth-Cup in 1996 that secured the club their second final in two years in this competition. The final ended with a 0-1 loss to Ole Gunnar Solskjærs former club Molde. After this disappointing game Nevland said : "It was sad we didn't get the equalizer. Many of us could have scored a goal - I had several chances myself. We can't blame anyone but ourselves. Molde were the better team and deserved their victory." This was Nevlands last season as a youth, and he hoped to aquire an apprentice contract with Viking next season.

After scoring three goals and creating four on his United Junior-A debut, the clubs interest in the player should not be any lower. This is what Nevland told Stavanger Aftenblad after the match :

"This has been a fine experience. The standard of the play is much higher than I am used to, and therefore it is easier to succeed for me. I felt everything went right in the game against Preston."

According to english newspapers United should be willing to pay one million pounds for the player. But Erik Thorstvedt, who just has been appointed manager of Viking, told Stavanger Aftenblad that he doubts the player will sign for United now. "Both the player and United will profit from Nevland aquiring some experience with Viking first.", said the former Tottenham goalkeeper.

Just in (18.11.1996) : Nevland is available for no money at all since he was only on an apprentice-contract. Manchester United is however still offering money for the man as a matter of principle. It is thought today that Nevland will play for Viking until the 1997-98 season starts up in England. This means that he will be available to Viking from the start of the norwegian season in april to late July - approx. 12 league matches.

Nevland was named as a member in the Norwegian U20 squad to play Italy on the 29th of November.
This is his first call up ever for a national side.

Nevland as a footballer is a typical striker - gets himself into scoring positions constantly but also squanders a lot of chances. He likes to take on defenders and has good control and pace.
He is not a great header of the ball though.


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Eric Cantona 31.03.95