New Hull City signing Jens Hjertø-Dahl has revealed how he’s had no shortage of ticket requests for Saturday’s showpiece opener of the Premier League.
City welcome Manchester United to the MKM Stadium, which has long since sold out for the Tigers’ first game back in the top-flight in a decade.
The 20-year-old Norwegian could make his debut against the Red Devils in front of the television cameras, just a couple of weeks after sealing his high-profile move from hometown club Tromsø.
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After being thrust into the start in Germany last weekend, the midfielder got his first taste of MKM Stadium action in the friendly draw with Nice on Saturday, but the focus now turns towards the visit of the 13-time Premier League champions.
“In Norway, Manchester United is a big club. In the 90s, I think we had three players playing there (Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Ronny Johnsen, Henning Berg) winning the Champions League and lots of Premier League titles, so it’s a really big club in Norway, and it brings a lot of attention,” he tells Hull Live with a smile. “I’m just looking forward to it. I have had many requests, I think about 11 (tickets). Some other guys have to work to fit them all in.
His move from Norway was finalised just before he was thrust onto the specially chartered flight out of Humberside Airport to make his City debut against Eintracht Frankfurt in Germany, where he was thrust straight into the team and played an hour.
“It was a new experience,” he explained. “I had one training session and then went into the game, but I found it OK. It was a nice experience, and for me now it’s about adapting and getting to know my teammates and the style of play. I’m still adapting and learning.
“It’s just as normal, really. I try to come into training, get to know the guys, get to know the staff, and just keep working. I’m still in the hotel, so I’m not settled yet. I’m trying to look for a place to stay permanently, but I think these first two weeks have been nice.
“Myself,” Hjertø-Dahl joked when asked who was looking after him in the city. “I’ve got people at the club, Ali. Mark (player liaison), my agent, I get help. It’s going to be me living in the apartment, so I have to look after myself. I have my girlfriend, my friends, and my family, who will come visit me maybe every month.”
Though he had been playing in Europa League qualifiers before his move to England, the midfielder admits he has noticed the step-up in intensity and quality since training with his new teammates.
“It is more intense here, you can feel it, and also the technical ability is a little bit better, but also the technical ability is quite the same. It’s the physical intensity, the level of some X Factor in some players is very good, and that’s the biggest difference.”
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