Manchester United’s young players are continuing to develop and try and eventually work their way towards future first team chances.
Erik ten Hag selected 12 young players on Manchester United’s USA tour squad, and left a number of young talents behind too.
Most of United’s youngsters have returned to playing academy football, with the senior stars now back and taking their places.
Future opportunities could come their way during the season if they continue to develop, and one who has caught the eye is James Scanlon.
James Scanlon stars
Manchester United sent a under-19s side to playing in the Netherlands as part of the Otten Innovation Cup.
United reached the quarter-finals of the tournament before being eliminated 1-0 by eventual winners and hosts PSV Eindhoven.
The tournament was notable as it used some ‘innovative rules’ which replaced throw-ins with ‘kick-ins’ and allowed players to pass free-kicks to themselves if they chose to.
At the conclusion of the tournament, PSV issues awards to the best players who caught the eye, including one Manchester United player.
17-year-old James Scanlon was given an award for ‘best striker’ after he managed to impress/
Scanlon back in attack
It’s notable to see James Scanlon praised for his attacking contribution because he did not get a chance to display this during the pre-season tour.
Scanlon had to fill in as an emergency right-back, highlighting United’s lack of options at the position before Noussair Mazraoui signed.
He is clearly enjoying being back in a more forward role, but Scanlon is not really a ‘striker’ either. He plays as an attacking midfielder or winger.
Scanlon played a key role in United’s under-18s winning three trophies last season, scoring eight goals and providing three assists in 12 league games.
Already he is a senior international, Scanlon made his international debut for Gibraltar earlier in 2024.
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