Growing up in Australia, South Sudanese refugee Awer Mabil dreamed of one day getting to watch his idol, Manchester United, at Old Trafford.

A decade later, the 20 year-old FC Midtjylland flier is about to go one better.

Mabil is in line to step out on to the famed Theatre of Dreams surface to face his heroes after his Danish club was drawn against the Red Devils in the knockout stage of the UEFA Europa League after the Premier League giant's inglorious UEFA Champions League exit.

Mabil, who had United players plastered on the walls of his bedroom as teenager in Adelaide, admits that when the draw for the two-legged tie in February produced Louis van Gaal's men his heart skipped a beat.

But the lifelong fan is convinced, given United’s unconvincing domestic season, its early exit from the UCL could be followed by another embarrassment against the defending champion of Denmark.

“When we heard that United were in the Europa league some of my teammates were saying, 'yeah bring it on',” Mabil said. “We are all sort of joking but now it’s now it’s happened we actually think we can beat them.

"While they are a club I love, they are not the team they were and this season their style of football is quite defensive, so we are still saying 'bring it on'.

“It’s still only sinking in for me … I’ve followed them since I was a boy and all I ever wanted to do was watch them in the flesh.

“That’s never happened – but now I could get the chance to play against them. It’s crazy. If I get to play against them it will be a dream come true for me."

The former Adelaide United attacker, who has made seven appearances for his new club in all competitions, has no doubt that Midtjylland - third going in the Superligaen going into the winter recess - can cause a shock.

“Of course, United are a great team but we feel we can come up with something special and when you look at how they have been playing they have lacked that consistency," he said.

More tellingly for Mabil, who was weaned on a diet of adventure and flair under Sir Alex Ferguson, is the loss of potency and intent under Van Gaal.

“Watching as a fan, the way they are playing now … it’s not really the United style. Their mentality seems different, that’s the way it as the moment," he said. “In the past United were all about attack, attack, but now it’s all about holding onto possession.

“I don’t think it suits them. It works for Barcelona and Bayern Munich, but I just don't think United can do that.

“The English type of game is not possession based. Part of me feels a bit sad at the way they are playing, but while I don’t want any other team to beat them, I will happy if we do.”

While Mabil has been bewitched by his idol Wayne Rooney down the years, he – like many others – has discerned a decline in the ageing England icon.

“Of course he’s a legend there and somebody I've always looked up to but in recent years I don’t know what has been going on," Mabil said. "He hasn’t been what he used to be. But he’s still a top player … Juan Mata is also very good but they have some players who haven’t been performing, especially some of the new signings.”

Mabil is making inroads at Midtjylland, which signed him on a six-year deal with a view to one day selling him on to bigger club.

“With the people around me at the club I think I can live up to their expectations if I continue to work hard,” Mabil said. “I’m learning all the time, and I will go back from my break with my family in Adelaide with even more motivation to keep improving.”

And now there’s also the prospect of turning a football fantasy into reality.