Erik ten Hag gave four young players the opportunity to train with the first-team squad ahead of the Brighton game.
Manchester United’s squad is a pretty young one, Cristiano Ronaldo aside. The Portugal international spearheaded the side last year. He wants out this time around.
Erik ten Hag placed real emphasis on the young players during pre-season tour. Zidane Iqbal, in particular, looked extremely sharp.
Well, with the squad looking thin after the mass exodus this summer, it’s pleasing to see so many academy products in the first-team mix this week.
United youth expert @MUFC_Youth confirmed that four youngsters were given the chance to train with the first-team ahead of the Brighton game on Sunday; Sonny Aljofree, Isak-Hansen Aaroen, Alejandro Garnacho and the aforementioned Iqbal.
What a brilliant experience it is for these stars of the future, though it does highlight the lack of genuine depth the Old Trafford club have right now.
Check out the photos of these players here:
Aljofree is undoubtedly the name most people will be unfamiliar with. The young defender from Singapore only joined the club last year, but he’s obviously making a good impression within his age bracket. So-much-so he’s been given the call-up.
Hansen was amongst the stars of the FA Youth Cup final, greatly impressing due to his technical ability, skill and genuine quality in midfield. It was his incisive passing that helped United to the trophy against Nottingham Forest.
Garnacho is probably the pick of the bunch. The young Argentine is the man of the moment following his exploits at youth level. He also looked super sharp against Rayo Vallecano at the weekend. He probably has the best chance at first-team minutes this term.
Then we move onto Iqbal. For me, this young man was the big surprise of the tour. From minute one against Liverpool, he looked right at home in that United midfield. The confidence with which he played was a particular highlight, while he always picked the right pass and made the correct decision.
Hopefully, these lads continue to work hard and perhaps we’ll see some of them feature for Ten Hag over the next nine months.
Do you think any of these players will be given first-team minutes this season? let us know your thoughts in the comment box below.
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