Gary Pallister has outlined the three Man United youngsters best placed to make a first-team breakthrough.
Manchester United’s squad is going to look awfully different in a couple of months’ time. Erik ten Hag is already working tirelessly behind the scenes to get everything ready for the start of pre-season next week.
Typically, the first batch of players returning to the club for the start of training are youngsters, who haven’t been involved at international level.
Thankfully, United are well-stocked in that area. The club’s U23s did well last term, while their U18 side eventually lifted the FA Youth Cup trophy. The stars of both teams will be looking to make their mark and force their way into Ten Hag’s plans permanently.
Well, now ex-United star Gary Pallister has named the three youngsters he believes are best placed to do exactly that; Alejandro Garnacho, Hannibal Mejbri and James Garner. All of whom ‘can push themselves into the reckoning’ if they want it badly enough.
Pallister told the Metro: “He [Garnacho] is at the right age and he is now doing it at international level.
“He is certainly making a point for himself, you’ve also got James Garner back from his spell at Nottingham Forest, I’m sure he is the same boat. We’ve also got Hannibal Mejbri, there are big expectations for him.
“You would like to think these guys can push themselves into the reckoning. One of the first things Sir Alex [Ferguson] said when he first arrived was ‘you are all going to get a chance, you are going to have to prove to me that you are worthy of a start or a place in the squad.
“These guys will buoyed by what they did last season. Garner playing a role in a promotion-winning side, Hannibal making his debut, Garnacho scoring the FA Youth Cup-winning goal now playing for Argentina. They are making progress and they are giving Ten Hag options. They will be knocking on that door.
As Pallister says. All are moving in the right direction. Garnacho announced himself to the world over the last few months by earning his first Argentina call-up and making his senior Reds debut.
Garner’s progression has been a little different, with the Englishman proving why the loan system in this country can really work wonders. His time at Nottingham Forest, coupled with United losing some midfielders, leaves him in an excellent place going into a huge season on a personal level.
As for Hannibal, he feels like the rawest talent we have right now. The Tunisia international looked lively during a cameo against Liverpool not too long ago, though there’s work to do to refine his game a little.
Pre-season is about building up the fitness levels ahead of the serious stuff starting in August. Not only that, it gives us all a great chance to look at the next batch of potential superstars. With just a couple of weeks to go before our first game, I’m seriously looking forward to seeing who Ten Hag wants to take an early look at.
Do you think any of these guys have a genuine shot at making it into the Man United first-team this season? Let us know your thoughts in the comment box below.
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