Manchester United's youngsters are chasing silverware on a couple of fronts. At under-21 level, Adam Lawrence's side beat Sunderland on Sunday to secure a Premier League 2 play-off quarter-final trip to Crystal Palace. Darren Fletcher's under-18 side may miss out on the Premier League North title to Manchester City, but they have a chance to avenge that in the FA Youth Cup final against their neighbours.
Manchester United's youngsters are chasing silverware on a couple of fronts.
At under-21 level, Adam Lawrence's side beat Sunderland on Sunday to secure a Premier League 2 play-off quarter-final trip to Crystal Palace.
Darren Fletcher's under-18 side may miss out on the Premier League North title to Manchester City, but they have a chance to avenge that in the FA Youth Cup final against their neighbours.
For United's players, these matches are huge and could have a significant impact on who gets an opportunity to play a meaningful role in the early part of pre-season and push their claims for more involvement at senior level.
So who will be knocking on the first-team door come July?
JJ Gabriel: The 15-year-old is a star of the under-18 team and also top scorer in the Premier League under-18 league. His speed and balance sets him apart from other talents at the same age. He is only lacking physical stature, which is another reason why his progress is being monitored so closely. He has trained regularly with the first team this season, and had rules around his age been different - he was 14 at the start of the season - he would almost certainly have been called up to the senior matchday squad before now.
Bendito Mantato: Despite being currently injured, he was one of the young players involved in what turned out to be Ruben Amorim's only pre-season tour as manager last summer. The 18-year-old was the only United player named in England's under-17 World Cup squad and he made his senior debut as a second-half substitute against Wolves at Old Trafford in December. A right-sided player, he has been used as a forward mainly but he is also capable of featuring at full-back.
Tyler Fletcher: The son of former United midfielder Darren Fletcher. He seems to have nudged slightly ahead of twin brother Jack in the Old Trafford pecking order. An effective holding midfield player with excellent awareness and ability to provide cover in deeper positions. Given his senior debut by Michael Carrick in February, he has been on the first-team bench a further 11 times and seems certain to push on next season.
Read the full list of players with big hopes here
Category: General Sports
