Manchester United are in action in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday night at home to Crystal Palace.
There is lots of talent in the Manchester United academy, demonstrated by 20-year-old Hannibal Mejbri stepping up to the first team over the past two Premier League games.
This week’s Carabao Cup tie is a must-win, yet also offers chance for rotation, with Palace also hit by injuries and some of United’s weekly starters needing a breather.
It is an opportunity for Manchester United youngsters to be involved, to at least make the matchday squad and perhaps even start.
Five Manchester United teenagers who could get call-up
For this list we are not including one teenager who is certain to make the line-up, 19-year-old Alejandro Garnacho, who is in the squad every week. It is very likely he is rotated in as a starter for this game.
We are not naming 18-year-old Kobbie Mainoo either, who is still working his way back from injury. He was in individual training last week, but it looks like this game may come too soon for him.
Here is a look at five teenagers who could and perhaps should make the matchday squad…
Dan Gore
18-year-old Dan Gore won the under-21s player of the year award last season, before impressing in the pre-season with a particularly strong performance against Lyon, in which he provided an assist.
Gore is a combative midfielder who works hard off the ball and has real quality on it, similar to Hannibal. He was part of the FA Youth Cup winning campaign alongside Alejandro Garnacho in 2022.
Joe Hugill
Manchester United need strikers and Joe Hugill could find himself in the mix. He scored against Leeds in pre-season and also got minutes against Borussia Dortmund.
Hugill, 19, has begun this season in strong form for the under-21s, scoring four goals and providing one assist in five games. On that alone, you can make a case for him to be called up.
Omari Forson
Omari Forson caught Erik ten Hag’s eye in pre-season, playing 270 minutes across six matches in total.
He has scored two goals for Manchester United’s under-21 side this season and the 19-year-old will have had his eye on this fixture as another one where he could get a call-up. Like Dan Gore, he was on the bench against Bayern Munich last week.
Rhys Bennett
Manchester United are short of defenders right now so it was welcome to see Rhys Bennett make his return from injury for the under-21s at the weekend.
Bennett was solid in the one pre-season game he played against Leeds, before he picked up an injury. The FA Youth Cup winning defender could even have a chance to start the game if the Red Devils fitness situation worsens.
Ethan Williams
17-year-old winger Ethan Williams was one of the best players at academy level last season and he has begun well this year too, netting for both the under-18s and under-21 teams.
Williams was pictured training with the Manchester United first team before the Brighton game and also before the Bayern Munich game, so he clearly has the attention of the coaching staff. This could be a match where they decide to take a look at him.
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