Manchester United youngster nears Old Trafford exit

Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer had a visit to Kazakhstan, where they were scheduled to face Astana in a group stage game in the Europa League last season.

Having lost some crucial members of the group to injuries and determined beforehand that playing first-team stars could be a mistake with other vital games coming thick and fast, the Norwegian decided to travel with a squad full of young academy prospects.

Jesse Lingard led the team on foreign soil that night. Despite the veteran breaking the deadlock in the 10th minute, the young and inexperienced defence suffered a blow at the hands of their Europa League counterparts. It was a 2-1 defeat for the Red Devils.

One of the very few academy graduates who excited with their performance on that night included the name of Dylan Levitt, who made his senior debut for the club in the same game. Some boldly claimed that the youngster would be the one to run the Manchester United midfield in the future. That claim may now have grown dubious, with Levitt now moving to Croatia in search playing time on a regular basis.

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The Manchester United youngster is set to join NK Istra

As per the PA news agency, Dylan Levitt is on the cusp of joining Croatian side NK Istra. The deal is expected to be made official before Monday, the deadline day in the Croatian winter transfer window.

The report suggests it ill be a dry six-month loan spell with the side currently finding themselves at the rock-bottom of Croatian First Football League. Levitt sees this impending time there as an opportunity to undertake a new challenge, as revealed by his agent, Ivan Omrcen.

As reported by Manchester Evening News, he said:

"“He immediately agreed to come [to Istra] when we explained how much he will have to give in Istria. Dylan loves challenges.”"

The Wales international joined Charlton Athletic on a season-long loan last summer. But having made only 3 appearances in League One until January, Levitt was not getting as much game time as he would have expected while making the switch. Consequently, United brought him back, terminating his loan contract in January.

Levitt would return to Manchester United next summer. And if he is to make the Wales squad for the upcoming European Championship, playing regularly is the only option for the 20-year-old.

Considering that, moving to Croatia might actually be a great step for Levitt to have a brighter future in football, hopefully at Old Trafford.