Left-back is a tough position to crack at Manchester United, with Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia competing for the position at youth team level.
Brandon Williams is a back-up with 50 first team appearances, while Alvaro Fernandez is out on loan at Preston and was the reserve player of the year last season.
The talent queue is not slowing down. Next in line is Sam Murray, who had an excellent 2022 and hopes for an even better 2023.
Who is Sam Murray
Murray made his debut for Manchester United’s under-18s side at 16, back in December 2020.
He has gone onto make 37 appearances at under-18 level, including playing a key role in the team’s FA Youth Cup winning run in 2022.
He played all 90 minutes in six of seven games, featuring as a substitute in the fifth round, and provided an assist in front of 70,000 fans at Old Trafford as he set up Rhys Bennett’s opener in the final.
Murray was promoted to the under-21s this season with Fernandez out on loan, and now 18, he has featured in the EFL Trophy and the PL2, where he has nine appearances for the side combined.
This season he has also featured for the 18s, scoring once and providing two assists.
Murray is a good crosser who likes to get forward. He has also been utilised at wing-back at times when the under-18s have shifted formation away from a back four.
A successful 2022 was capped off when he was included on United’s first team trip to Spain in December, getting the chance to play two 45 minutes against Cadiz and Real Betis.
This will have been a valuable learning experience for Murray, getting the chance to work under Erik ten Hag, and now he has to build on this in 2023.
Player profile
Full name: Sam Murray
Nationality: English
Date of birth: 25 September 2004
Age: 18
Country of birth: England
Position: Forward
Squad number: 79
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