With many of Manchester United’s first-teamers returning or yet to return from the Euros and the Copa America, the early days of pre-season offers an opportunity for a host of budding youngsters to stake their claim.
The summer of 2023 saw Kobbie Mainoo make his mark, paving the way for a magnificent debut season with some stand-out displays against the likes of Arsenal and Leeds United.
Could 2024 be the year of Harry Amass, Ethan Wheatley and Toby Collyer?
All three are certainly very highly regarded behind the scenes at Old Trafford. Rampaging left-back Amass and goalscorer extraordinaire Wheatley were two of the posterboys of last season’s Under 18 Premier League title triumph.
Wheatley also became the 250th academy graduate to make his Manchester United first-team debut against Sheffield United back in April.
“250 (academy graduates in Man United’s first-team). Incredible!” Nick Cox, United’s academy director, wrote on X after that history making moment. “Congratulations Ethan. An unrivalled achievement across generations of staff and players.
“A club defined by youth, courage and success.”
New shirt numbers for Manchester United starlets
20-year-old midfielder Toby Collyer surely won’t be far behind.
The deep-lying midfielder was part of Erik ten Hag’s matchday squad for seven top-flight fixtures in 2023/24, the manager sparking plenty of deja vu when he was spotted taking Collyer aside following United’s ‘glorious’ victory over rivals City in the FA Cup final.
Ten Hag famously did the same with one Mainoo after beating Newcastle in the EFL Cup final a year earlier.
“He showed some good stuff and he showed some potential,” the former Ajax boss told MUTV of Collyer back in the spring.
Could a change of shirt number hint at a first-team role for Collyer in 2024/25? Amass and Wheatley too?
Possibly, especially if you consider that Mainoo went from 73 to 37 before establishing himself as one of the first names on Ten Hag’s team sheet.
Collyer donned 65 last term but now wears 43. Wheatley, a prolific goalscorer at youth level, stepped onto the pitch against Sheffield United with 84 on his back but will don 36 the next time he features alongside Bruno Fernandes, Marcus Rashford and co.
Amass, who might find himself fast-tracked if Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia continue to struggle with injury, has been spotted training with the number 41 on his shirt.
The former Watford wonderkid – who was a target for Chelsea before moving to Manchester last summer – has been upgraded from number 70.
Interestingly, when quizzed by Goal via their official TikTok account, Shaw highlighted his young protege as one to keep an eye on.
“He’s a young left-back from Man United,” Shaw said. “Harry Amass.”
Changes for Ethan Wheatley and Harry Amass
Jack Fletcher, the teenage son of United icon Darren Fletcher, goes from 85 to 57.
Ethan Ennis – now 49 – and Rhys Bennett – 51- may also be among those hoping to follow Wheatley into the Man United history books with a first-team bow over the coming months.
Other new shirt numbers
Louis Jackson – 54
Max Oyedele – 59
Sonny Aljofree – 60
Sam Murray – 61
James Scanlon – 63
Habeeb Ogunneye – 66
James Nolan – 67
Finley McAllister – 70
Ethan Williams – 73
Willy Kambwala, perhaps the player on the list closest to establishing himself as a regular fixture in this United side, will be wearing number 32 next season.
Ten Hag could hardly have spoken in more glowing terms about the teenage Frenchman, particularly after Kambwala excelled during the dramatic 2-2 draw with North West rivals Liverpool.