24-goal Man Utd wonderkid pictured in first-team training after Joshua Zirkzee injury

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Manchester United have just two senior forward options heading into this week’s Europa League clash with Lyon at Old Trafford.

Thursday is the campaign decider for Manchester United, with defeat seeing the club with nothing to play for with over a month remaining until the league campaign ends.

Ruben Amorim’s side sits 14th in the league table with just six games left to play; however, all being well and there will still be four European fixtures to get through for the Red Devils.

Position	Team	Played MP	Won W	Drawn D	Lost L	For GF	Against GA	Diff GD	Points Pts
12	Crystal PalaceCrystal Palace	31	11	10	10	41	40	1	43
13	EvertonEverton	32	8	14	10	34	38	-4	38
14	Man UtdManchester United	32	10	8	14	38	45	-7	38
15	TottenhamTottenham	32	11	4	17	60	49	11	37
16	WolvesWolves	32	10	5	17	47	61	-14	35

This all hinges on Thursday when Lyon come to Old Trafford after a 1-1 draw in the first leg, which United will feel was a missed opportunity to make this week a formality.

However, it will not be an easy battle this week, with United missing Joshua Zirkzee due to a possible season-ending injury.

The unfortunate injury to the Dutchman, along with Chido Obi being ineligible for the Europa League this season, means that only Rasmus Hojlund will be available from the striking department.

So, Amorim had dipped into the academy for a solution.

• READ MORE: Everything you need to know about Man Utd’s head coach – Ruben Amorim

Gabriele Biancheri spotted in first team training.

With just one option available to him, there was always a strong chance that Amorim would look for a solution in the academy, and this has seen Gabriele Biancheri finally afforded the chance to train under Amorim.

Biancheri was spotted in first-team training ahead of Lyon, involved in the rondo drill alongside Bruno Fernandes as he got his reward for a fine season in academy football.

United in Focus reported that Biancheri is in with a chance of making a senior United debut this season, and this is the first step in this happening. If he can impress Amorim, there is a good chance he can position himself alongside Jack Moorhouse on the cusp of a debut.

Amorim has already handed out two United academy debuts this season, with Chido Obi and Harry Amass leading the way for the youngsters hoping to step up into the first team.

Joining Biancheri in training were Moorhouse, Jaydan Kamason and Harry Amass. Meanwhile, the session also saw Jonny Evans make his return.

• READ MORE: Manchester United’s Best Academy Players of All Time

Gabriele Biancheri’s first team promotion is long overdue at Manchester United

If any United player deserves to be in the first team set up over the next month based on their campaign for the youth teams, it is either James Scanlon or Biancheri.

Biancheri is a Wales U19 starlet who joined United from Cardiff in 2023, but this season has been the academy’s most prolific player. The 18-year-old has tallied up 24 goals and five assists across U21 (9 goals) and U18 (15 goals and 5 assists) levels.

This is despite Biancheri missing over a month through injury at the start of 2025 with a broken hand that is still taped up to this date during games.

Biancheri was forgotten about in all the hype around Obi, but he has the ability to be every bit as good, albeit a completely different player. Biancheri is less of a dominant number nine but rather could be perfect for Amorim in the number 10 position as a goal threat.

United turned down a transfer offer from Como for Biancheri in January, and now it seems he is getting a look in with his quality being highly thought of at the club. Hopefully, this is a sign that he is set for a debut before the campaign comes to a close.