Manchester United’s senior team are not the only ones in the midst of a pre-season to prepare for the challenges ahead, as one youngster has been a big beneficiary of the same for the U21s.
Ruben Amorim has generally been keen to provide clarity to youngsters on their future, not even taking the likes of Harry Amass and Radek Vitek on tour.
Vitek has joined Bristol City already, while a loan move for Amass is a matter of when, not if.
In the meantime, they are playing with the U21s to keep their fitness up, a game that has helped a youngster who had been riddled with injury worries to bounce back.
Finley McAllister returns for Man Utd U21s
Football moves at a quick pace, and it can often feel like the world passes by for a player when he is injured, especially when he is young.
It wasn’t long ago that Finley McAllister was one of the most highly rated prospects in United’s youth system, with his combative play, along with his leadership qualities, making him stand out.
However, persistent injury worries have robbed him of what should have been breakout years of his career, and Ineos’ youth revolution has made breaking through even more difficult.
Still, talent isn’t lost overnight, and McAllister made his return to playing as he took a big step forward recently by playing the full 90 minutes against Fleetwood Town.
Man Utd U21s beat Fleetwood Town 1-0, courtesy of a goal by Ethan Ennis in a game that featured the likes of Harry Amass, Jaydan Kamason, Rhys Bennett, and more.
After the game, McAllister posted a message on X, formerly known as Twitter.
He said: “A hamstring injury and 6 months without a game later. Yesterday we banked 90 minutes and there’s no feeling like it. Small building blocks. You vs You. Up the Reds.”
McAllister’s race is not run at Man Utd yet
It is easy to forget that despite all the injuries, McAllister turned just 19 this July, so he can’t be completely ruled out at Old Trafford.
If anything, his ability to bounce back from so many injuries and face adversity before his career truly took off would have strengthened his mental resolve.
As seen with the case of Tyler Fredricson, Ruben Amorim doesn’t care for prior reputations when deciding who he can trust and give a debut to.
As long as McAllister can prove his injury worries are behind him and continues to show improvement in his game, it would be naive to say he won’t ever break out at Man Utd.
Playing 90 minutes is already a big step in that direction. Now he just needs to do it consistently while proving his skills on the pitch haven’t taken a step back.
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