The Man Utd youngsters who could impress Erik ten Hag in pre-season
- Man Utd are back in pre-season training under Erik ten Hag
- 8 friendlies are booked across Europe & North America
- Summer is always an opportunity for young players to get noticed
Manchester United have a busy pre-season schedule ahead, playing as many as eight games in the space of three and a half weeks in four different countries spread over two continents.
This time of year always means chances for young or emerging players to train with the first-team and potentially get on the pitch. But the sheer number of games on the immediate horizon is sure to mean even more opportunity for those looking to catch Erik ten Hag's eye.
Developing young players has always been an important part of the 'United way', stretching back to the creation of the Manchester United Junior Athletic Club in the 1930s - the club's remarkable ongoing record of naming at least one home-grown player in every matchday squad began in 1937.
There are no guarantees that impressing in pre-season will translate to regular first-team chances when the Premier League and Champions League campaigns kick off. But Ten Hag is noted for his player development skills and has already shown faith in 18-year-old Alejandro Garnacho, proof of the fact that anybody is old enough as long as they are good enough.
Kobbie Mainoo
Kobbie Mainoo has already made three senior appearances in a United shirt in 2023, including a Premier League game against Leicester, and is the player most tipped to be on the heels of FA Youth Cup-winning teammate Alejandro Garnacho into the first-team.
The midfielder only relatively recently turned 18 but has already been with United since the age of nine and is the current Jimmy Murphy Young Player of the Year.
Matej Kovar
With David de Gea and Jack Butland gone from last season's goalkeeping unit and Dean Henderson also set to follow, United will likely need more than just Andre Onana adding to the first-team squad this summer.
Budgetary limitations and priorities in other positions could make Matej Kovar the solution for additional cover, and he is already a consideration, as 90min reported in May. The 23-year-old proved himself as a number one at top flight level during a loan with Sparta Prague last season.
Mateo Mejia
United staff have seen enough of Spanish-born Colombia Under-20 international Mateo Mejia to tie him down to a new contract last month.
The forward, who made most of his Premier League 2 appearances last season on the right wing, has already had the opportunity to train with the first-team on occasion in the last 12 months.
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Ethan Ennis
United pinched Ethan Ennis, a versatile forward with an eye for the spectacular, from north west rivals Liverpool in the summer of 2021 and tied him to his first professional contract shortly after turning 17.
The teenager has all the attributes to develop into an all-round modern forward, with pace complemented by two good feet and even commanding aerial ability - remind you of anyone?
Hannibal Mejbri
Hannibal Mejbri is no stranger to United fans. He has been talked about ever since a €10m transfer from Monaco in 2019, has already made three first-team appearances and even went to the 2022 World Cup.
But a crucial factor of Hannibal's development is that he now has a full season of regular first-team football under his belt thanks to a successful loan at Birmingham. Pre-season back with United is the next step.
Charlie McNeill
Charlie McNeill is famous as the player reputed to have scored more than 600 goals in Manchester City's youth ranks. He then rejected a contract at the Etihad Campus to return to United for a compensation fee that totalled £1.35m with add-ons.
The Manchester-born teen spent the second half of last season on loan with League Two's Newport, where he struggled for goals. But that experience and playing with a higher calibre of player back at United could help push him on to catch Ten Hag's eye now.
WATCH THE PROMISED LAND, 90MIN'S MANCHESTER UNITED PODCAST
On this edition of The Promised Land, part of the 90min podcast network, Scott Saunders and Rob Blanchette discuss why Manchester United want Andre Onana to be their new goalkeeper. If you can't see this embed, click here to listen to the podcast in audio format!
Come and join us in Las Vegas from July 28th at United Con, the place to be for United fans to come together on their pre-season tour of the US. Visit united-con.com to book your place now.