Manchester United’s squad for the season should quickly take shape now that the USA leg of the pre-season is about to begin.
Senior players returning with give Erik ten Hag a chance to implement his ideas on the full squad instead of working to fill the numbers.
In that sense, the first two games of pre-season were crucial for the youngsters and fringe members of the squad to stake their claim for importance.
One of the youngsters looks to have done precisely that, as he has been awarded a new contract to extend his stay at the club.
Man United award new contract to wing wizard
As the likes of Amad, Jadon Sancho, and Antony return to action, it is highly unlikely that wingers in the academy will get any more chances to shine.
Therefore, it was imperative that they take the two games before the USA tour with sincerity and give it all they have.
One player whose performance and attitude greatly impressed the staff at Carrington is Ethan Ennis, who has now been awarded a new contract, as per the Manchester Evening News.
His original deal expired next summer so United have quickly moved to secure his future at the club after his return from injury has been smooth.
Signed from Liverpool in a highly-rated capture in 2021, Ennis was bossing the youth football circuits but his development was dragged to a cruel halt in August 2022.
An ACL injury sidelined him for 14 months but since returning, he has picked up from where he left off. He still has the burst of pace and explosiveness that made him stand out initially.
In addition, he has added goals to his game to become a proper inside forward. This development curve has been enough to convince people at United that he deserves more time at the club.
A difficult breakthrough
While the news of a new contract for a youngster who has already gone through so much in his young career is heartening, the reality is difficult.
Wings is arguably the most loaded position at United at the minute, made tougher still by Erik ten Hag’s reluctance to rotate once a player locks up a spot.
Alejandro Garnacho plays pretty much every game and Ten Hag has already declared this has to be Amad’s year.
Marcus Rashford is the marquee name aiming for a redemption season while Jadon Sancho’s reintegration has complicated matters further.
Add to that the positional versatility of Bruno Fernandes and Mason Mount, and one can see how difficult it will be for a young player to break through on the wings.
Ennis will need to be on an extraordinary path to development, a la Kobbie Mainoo, to make himself undeniable.
However, that is the long-term game. In the short-term, he’d be delighted to secure his future at the club and hope the increased time at Old Trafford betters his chances of making it here.