Manchester United held a full training session on Thursday with young players mixing with returning international stars.
There was a positive for Manchester United in training when Sergio Reguilon returned after missing the final fortnight before the break, due to injury.
Reguilon is expected to start at left-back, freeing Sofyan Amrabat to start in midfield, thankfully, and cover Casemiro, who is out with an injury sustained on international duty.
But it seems United are exploring another alternative too, with teenage left-back Sam Murray involved in the training session.
Sam Murray trains with Man Utd first team
Sam Murray, 19, was one of a number of teenagers involved. Winger Ethan Williams, 17, Omari Forson, 19, and defender Willy Kambwala, 19, were all pictured.
But it is Murray’s involvement which is the most notable, as the left-back is a position where Manchester United have been desperately short of options.
Injuries to Luke Shaw, Tyrell Malacia, plus loans for Brandon Williams and Alvaro Fernandez have left the Red Devils desperately short.
Sam Murray featured for United in the winter friendlies in Spain last year, with 2022 a successful one for him.
Murray was United’s left-back in the FA Youth Cup winning team, which featured Alejandro Garnacho, Dan Gore, and Kobbie Mainoo.
He turned 19 last month and circumstances could provide an opening for him to step up. United’s coaches will have been paying close attention.
Sam Murray’s 2023/24 season so far
With a lack of options at left-back this season, some may be wondering why Sam Murray has not been given a look-in until now.
The reason for this is because he has been working his way back from injury, which caused him to miss all of July, August, and most of September.
He has since made three appearances for the under-21s. He is yet to play 90 minutes this season, but did play over an hour in the 5-2 win over Blackburn.
Having had the international break to further work on his fitness, Murray now has his chance to try and catch Erik ten Hag‘s eye.
It will be interesting to see if he can work his way into the manager’s thoughts over the coming weeks.