Manchester United are keeping Erik ten Hag on as first team manager, which is set to be great news for the young players at the club.
Erik ten Hag won the biggest game of his Manchester United career at Wembley through goals from teenagers Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo.
The manager has shown real faith in youth, handing debuts to a number of prospects already, the most recent being Ethan Wheatley, the 250th in the club’s history.
Wheatley was part of an under-18s side which won three trophies in 2023/24, there is stacks of talent in the academy for Ten Hag to work with and help flourish.
Several youngsters will get pre-season chances, beyond that, here are five who could get their competitive call-ups to play for the very first time in 2024/25.
Harry Amass
Harry Amass only signed for Manchester United in summer 2023 from Watford, and has made a big impression already.
He has been a consistent performer for the under-18s, starring in their silverware sweep, going on to feature at under-21 level.
Amass was promoted to the bench amid the first team injury crisis, and his emergence could prompt United to hesitate over signing another left-back this summer.
The teenager could be Luke Shaw’s successor for Manchester United and England, and it would not be a surprise to see him step up and make his debut in 2024/25.
Ethan Williams
Ethan Williams has been terrorising defences this past season at youth level along with Ethan Wheatley.
While Wheatley is more of a central striker, Williams can play on either flank, is happy to drift inside, and is lethal around the 18-yard box.
His creativity and delivery from set pieces are also among his strengths. This past season he provided 25 goal contributions in total, 17 goals and eight assists.
He has trained with the first team frequently over the past year and Erik ten Hag will be well aware of the potential he has.
| Goals under-18s | Assists under-18s | Goals under-21s | Assists under-21s | Total Goals | Total Assists | Total Goal contributions | |
| Ethan Williams 2023/24 | 9 | 5 | 8 | 3 | 17 | 8 | 25 |
Habeeb Ogunneye
Manchester United’s best defensive displays at under-18s level this season often came when Habeeb Ogunneye was in the line-up.
The young right-back was called up into the first team squad for the final two months of the season, waiting patiently wihout making his debut yet.
Diogo Dalot is expected to return to pre-season late after Euro 2024, and Ogunneye could get a chance during pre-season to demonstrate what he can do behind Aaron Wan-Bissaka, and stake a claim for more opportunities.
Toby Collyer
Erik ten Hag was spotted speaking to midfielder Toby Collyer after the FA Cup Final, leading some fans to wonder if he was telling him he could follow in Kobbie Mainoo’s footsteps.
Former Brighton talent Collyer is 20, a year older than Mainoo, and faces a make or break year in the final one of his current contract.
The defensive midfielder plays in a role where United do need to strengthen, and if he can make an impression during pre-season and take the leap, he has a chance to work his way into the squad, especially if rotation occurs in the Europa League.
Louis Jackson
Louis Jackson is the one player who starred in the FA Youth Cup winning team, who was still part of the under-18s title winning side last season.
The talented centre-back has done it all at youth level and was on the first team bench for the FA Cup semi-final.
United are expected to add a centre-back or two, but along with Willy Kambwala, Jackson demonstrates there is serious talent coming through the academy ranks too, and his under-18s partner Jack Kingdon is not far behind.