Manchester United Transfer News: Jesper Karlsson Interest Confirmed Amid Rumours

Swedish teenager Jesper Karlsson has been confirmed as a Manchester United target by Falkenberg sporting director Hakan Nilsson.

Per Swedish outlet Aftonbladet (via ESPN FC's Arindam Rej), the Premier League giants have scouted the 18-year-old talent, who can play either as a forward or on the right flank and has been compared to compatriot and United striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

In Aftonbladet's report, Nilsson also confirmed that United have contacted Falkenberg about the youngster, along with other major clubs: "They've expressed their interest. Them and several other big clubs. I'm not speculating about anything at this stage. First, there has to be some form of formal offer from some club, and that hasn't happened."

Karlsson has sparked widespread interest with some excellent performances in the Swedish Allsvenskan this season and despite Falkenberg's travails as they sit rock bottom of the table having won just two of 24 matches and conceded 61 goals.

Per WhoScored.com, with four goals in 20 league appearances—six as a substitute—Karlsson is the club's joint leading scorer in the 2016 campaign, while he has also provided two assists.

The below video shows a glimpse of what he can do:

His greatest strengths are his physicality and ability to run with the ball at his feet. 

Karlsson admitted that he is flattered to be linked with United but said he is not getting carried away with the speculation, per Wally Downes Jr. in the Sun: "It is of course fun. But I cannot do anything more than to just do my best and go out and perform. The check happened and they think I'm good, it’s just a plus. I do not want to speculate on that now as follows right after, but we'll see how it goes in the future."

He certainly looks to have the potential to be a top-class player and could learn a lot by moving to United, especially from Ibrahimovic.

But it is unlikely he would remain at Old Trafford and fight for a first-team place were he to earn a move to United, as the competition for attacking spots is fierce under manager Jose Mourinho at the moment—see Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial, Jesse Lingard, Juan Mata, Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Wayne Rooney.

Were United to follow through on their interest and snap him up, they would likely send Karlsson out on loan initially to get more game time before bringing him back to fight for a senior spot.