Manchester United begin pre-season on Monday July 8th and six youngsters will believe they have a golden opportunity to impress.
Ineos have now got almost all the pieces in place ahead of pre-season kicking off this coming Monday. The club structure is revamped with the arrivals of Dan Ashworth, Omar Berrada, Jason Wilcox and Christopher Vivell all sorted.
Along with this, the additions of Rene Hake, Ruud Van Nistelrooy and Jelle ten Rouwelaar to the coaching staff appear either done or very close.
But in terms of players, little work has been done and with so many involved in international tournaments this summer, there could be opportunities for six players to shine.
Toby Collyer
One player who looks like a safe bet to feature for United in pre-season is Toby Collyer after he was a regular on the bench last season.
He is seen as one of the next youngsters capable of stepping up and following in Kobbie Mainoo’s footsteps into the senior team.
Collyer will benefit from the fact that the midfield is weakened by players off at the Euros and therefore could find himself playing a major role.
He is clearly a player Ten Hag likes as he’s been involved in the senior team and was even seen sharing a moment with Collyer after the FA Cup triumph.
Harry Amass
Harry Amass is firmly placed among the greatest prospects currently in the running to be the next academy debutant and with a strong pre-season, he could do just that.
The talented left-back was a regular fixture in the senior matchday squad in the latter parts of last season, with Ten Hag clearly a fan of his abilities.
During the Tour 2024, he will be one of two left-backs to get the call and therefore it could be assumed he’d get some minutes within which we expect he’d impress.
For Amass, we imagine the goal will be to show the coaching staff that he is good enough to be considered during the Europa League and Carabao Cup next season and that he’s more deserving than Tyrell Malacia.
Ethan Wheatley
For Ethan Wheatley, pre-season represents a massive opportunity considering Rasmus Hojlund won’t join until late June.
This means he will be the only senior striker on tour for a period and should therefore be afforded the chance to impress and show Ten Hag that he deserves his place in the team.
With a striker likely to be incoming – Joshua Zirkzee looks likely – Wheatley will be looking to catch the eye and prove himself to potential loan suitors this summer.
After making his debut last season, he needs regular game time and with a well-chosen loan, he’d get exactly that.
Elyh Harrison
For Elyh Harrison, there could be a first opportunity to impress the senior coaches this pre-season with Tom Heaton and Altay Bayindir both at the Euros.
Harrison therefore could find himself supporting Andre Onana, working with the Cameroonian international and also with the senior coaches including newly appointed Ten Rouwelaar.
Given it’s pre-season, Onana won’t play every minute so chances are Harrison will at least get some minutes to experience first-team football for United.
Habeeb Ogunneye
Like many on this list, Habeeb Ogunneye could be a benefactor of the Euros this summer, as Diogo Dalot has only just finished at the Euros in Germany with Portugal.
The young right-back was also regularly on the bench for Ten Hag last season and could be in line to share the minutes on tour with Aaron Wan-Bissaka, assuming the defender doesn’t leave.
Ogunneye has the chance to make himself the clear number two right back in Ten Hag’s side, with Wan-Bissaka up for sale.
Louis Jackson
The final name on the list also happens to be the one we think has the least likely chance of getting his golden chance this summer, it’s central defender Louis Jackson.
Jackson is probably the best prospect in the position and with Raphael Varane gone, Lisandro Martinez at Copa America and then Jonny Evans yet to re-sign with the club, he could get a chance this summer before a signing is made.
He’ll be an option alongside Harry Maguire, Willy Kambwala and Victor Lindelof in defence and should be given some minutes to at the very least put himself into the shop window for a loan move this summer.