WHEN Manchester United saw their Champions League campaign unravel against Copenhagen, it was a teen sensation by the name of Roony Bardghji who punched the final nail in the coffin.
The Rooney name is legendary for scoring goals for Man Utd, but the 2005 born ace – who goes by Roony – broke Red Devils’ hearts when he scored the winner in Copenhagen’s 4-3 win back in November.
Scoring such a pivotal goal agianst Man Utd would naturally endear him to Liverpool and Manchester City fans.
And after being compared to Reds ace Mohamed Salah, the 18-year-old may be destined for a future in the Premier League.
But first he will need to prove his mettle against Man City when Copenhagen face the Treble winners in the last-16 of the Champions League.
However, those who have followed his career insist the best is yet to come.
Roony was born in Kuwait to Syrian parents before moving to Sweden with his mother and brother aged six.
His life in football started with clubs including Kallinge SK, Rodeby AIF, Malmo before landing at Copenhagen in 2020.
Reflecting on his career so far, the forward’s former under-19s coach at Malmo Jeffrey Aubynn told BBC Sport: “He had a very humble approach to all the things he did, in his work ethic every day.
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“He showed on the field he had a big belief in his ability. That combination, with the many technical tools he has, stood out for me.
“He has increased his development all the time since leaving Malmo, playing in the Champions League. The height of his ceiling is defined by himself.”
This is a sentiment echoed by Danish journalist Nicklas Degn, who professes many have known about Roony’s incredible talent since he was 14 or 15 years old.
He explained: “He was approached a lot from a very early age. It was seen as a marquee signing for FC Copenhagen in terms of publicity.
“It was seen as FC Copenhagen underlining themselves as the biggest club in Scandinavia.
“He is close to the total package for a player who plays on the right wing and can cover most offensive positions. Roony is the greatest talent in Scandinavia.”
When he was aged between 10 and 13 Roony starred for Rodeby despite a six-hour round trip from his house.
His coach at the time, Fredrik Akesson, recalled: “When Roony started training with us, he was a little chubby kid with a passion for football.
“He was an easy-going guy, always polite with a smile on his face and quickly made friends in the team. He knew we were a team that trained more than others, especially on the right things.
“He also knew that we played more matches and tournaments than any other team in Sweden.
“Our team was one of the best in our age group. Whenever Roony got the ball, something extraordinary happened, be it a fantastic move, a stylish assist, or a great goal.
“You could put him in a team with guys four or five years older, and he made an impact. That’s when you began to understand his potential to become really good.
“He decided numerous finals and crucial matches for us. There were lots of agents watching him when we played in larger tournaments in Sweden.”
In 2021, Roony became Copenhagen’s youngest ever player and scored a week after making his debut.
His meteoric rise has seen him linked with a host of European giants, including Man Utd, after SunSport revealed the Erik ten Hag’s side were tracking the attacker.
Degn, however, believes his qualities would be best served at one of clubs currently fighting it out at the top of the Premier League.
He said: “He has justified the hype and his potential is difficult to understate.
“He will go to a great Premier League club. He would suit a team that dominates the ball, like Manchester City, or Liverpool because he has very similar characteristics to Mohamed Salah.
“When Copenhagen have to come up with something brilliant or unlock a team, it is Roony they look to. He has this unique talent.”
City will get a front row seat to see him in action, and those who have watched Roony back his talent even against the reigning UCL champions.
Aubynn added: “He is very versatile, good in between the lines, he can take players on one against one. He is direct in trying to find the goal and finishing possibilities.
“We wanted to keep him. We tried; we gave him a plan and showed him our thoughts for his journey in our club. Sometimes relationships end in football. He went to Copenhagen and I wish him the best.”
This season he has scored 11 goals in 30 appearances.
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