Manchester United's Young Talents Set for Pre-Season Opportunities
The nine Manchester United youngsters who could be unleashed in pre-season
Image: Manchester Evening News
With senior players away for the World Cup, Manchester United's pre-season offers a platform for academy talents like Shea Lacey, Tyler Fletcher, and JJ Gabriel to showcase their skills. These youngsters aim to impress coach Michael Carrick and secure spots in the senior squad.
- 01Shea Lacey made his senior debut in December and has trained with the first team, showing promise for the upcoming season.
- 02JJ Gabriel scored 23 goals for the U18s and received the U18 Player of the Season award, highlighting his potential.
- 03Jim Thwaites, a dead-ball specialist, has been involved with the first team and is vying for a permanent promotion.
- 04Godwill Kukonki is recognized as a top prospect, performing well at left-back while being adaptable to centre-back.
- 05James Overy, who impressed scouts at 15, joined United in 2024 and is looking to make an impact in pre-season.
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As Manchester United prepares for pre-season training, coach Michael Carrick is expected to give significant opportunities to several academy players due to the absence of senior team members participating in the World Cup. Among the promising talents are Shea Lacey, who made his senior debut last December and has been training with the first team, and Tyler Fletcher, who earned the Denzil Haroun Reserve Team Player of the Year award. JJ Gabriel, a standout with 23 goals for the U18s, is also anticipated to shine during pre-season. Other notable players include Jim Thwaites, a dead-ball specialist, and Godwill Kukonki, a highly-rated left-back. The pre-season training at Carrington, commencing in early July, will be a crucial opportunity for these young players to prove themselves and secure a place in the senior squad as they aim to impress Carrick.
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The involvement of young players in pre-season could reshape the team's dynamics and future squad composition.
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