The early rounds of the Carabao Cup often provides an opportunity for Premier League sides to give young players a chance.
A few factors are working against Manchester United in that regard this year ahead of this week’s third round tie.
Firstly, the fixture is a tough one. United host a West Ham side who will be keen to make up for the weekend’s defeat and could bring back top scorer Michail Antonio who sat out the last game due to suspension.
Secondly, United have a big cast of first team players desperate for an opportunity. Juan Mata has not had a kick this season and nor has Alex Telles, while Anthony Martial could get a start. Edinson Cavani is also hoping to be passed fit, while Solskjaer has already confirmed Jesse Lingard will start.
And thirdly, United have a under-21 game on Tuesday night against Bradford City in the EFL Trophy.
So there may not be space and opportunity for too many youngsters, if at all – but there are five who will at least be on Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s radar.
Even if they do not make the starting line-up, perhaps even starting the night before, any of these five players could make the bench against the Hammers and play some part at Old Trafford on Wednesday night…
Anthony Elanga
Anthony Elanga is arguably the most likely player to have a chance of featuring. He really shone in pre-season before getting injured, before netting for Sweden’s under-21 side during the international break.
Elanga needs this opportunity to shine while Marcus Rashford is out, so it is important he gets a chance. He did not play in the earlier EFL Trophy game, so could get a chance in the Carabao Cup this week.
He tuned up at the weekend with his first under-23 start of the season, in which he won a penalty and scored it.
The pacy youngster was United’s top scorer at under-23 level last season and scored for the first team in the Premier League in one of his two appearances.
Elanga’s prospects for the game could depend on whether United want to use the match to give Jadon Sancho game time, or whether Edinson Cavani starts, which could push Anthony Martial into a wide role.
Hannibal
Hannibal has been training with the first team this season and is making good progress.
The Tunisia international was sent off in the last EFL Trophy game after receiving two yellow cards, and it is expected – but not confirmed – he is suspended for the Bradford match.
This gives him a shot of being involved with the first team squad in midweek at least as a bench option against the Hammers.
Nemanja Matic and Donny van de Beek are the starting options if Solskjaer rotates the side. Hannibal is the youthful option if the boss chooses to save Matic for the weekend against Villa and subsequent Champions League tie.
Shola Shoretire
Shola Shoretire is a player in form. The youngster has scored two goals in his last three games and also has two assists this season too.
Shoretire trained with the first team last Friday, which suggested Solskjaer was running the rule over him.
The problem for Shoretire is the position he plays in is crowded, with Lingard confirmed to start, and Juan Mata also in contention.
It is most likely Shoretire starts against Bradford and then gets a place on the bench in this one at best. If he does get a chance against West Ham, Shoretire can take it. He provided two assists for the first team in pre-season.
Alvaro Fernandez
Alvaro Fernandez has been arguably the most impressive player for the under-23s to start the season.
The left-back was rewarded for this by being called up to train with the first team and even featured in Cristiano Ronaldo’s first session.
Fernandez has two goals and one assist from the back so far and could manage to get a place on the bench in midweek.
Alex Telles will start the game at left-back. Then it is up to Solskjaer who he names among the substitutes, whether he prefers to give Luke Shaw the night off entirely and give Fernandez the first team squad experience, or if he would rather have the England defender there just in case.
Teden Mengi
Teden Mengi like Phil Jones is a long shot to feature in this one. Eric Bailly and Victor Lindelof are the rotational back-ups expected to start this fixture.
It has been notable though that Mengi, rather than Jones, was chosen to captain the under-23s in the last two matches.
The teenage defender is highly rated and dependent on whether United give Maguire and Varane the night off to sit in the stands, there could be a place on the bench for Mengi.
He did not feature in the previous EFL Trophy game, and if that is the case again, Mengi could have some involvement in the matchday squad against West Ham.
- Donald Trump will be at World Cup final, but US president’s Man Utd ‘connection’ is deeper than some might think
- Analysing how Marcus Rashford performed in England’s 6-4 win over France
- Lisandro Martinez has never taken penalty in his whole career, but this is what he could do in World Cup final
- Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Ineos have once again been vindicated with major Man Utd call, despite Wrexham defeat
- 14 things I liked and disliked from Man Utd vs Wrexham pre-season opener
- Andrey Santos delivered exactly what Michael Carrick could have hoped for in Man Utd against Wrexham
- One Man Utd youngster has just cemented himself in Michael Carrick’s first-team plans for next season
- Four biggest winners from Manchester United’s 1-0 defeat against Wrexham
- Andrey Santos was doing something so impressive vs Wrexham that Benjamin Sesko will love
- Michael Carrick has a player destined for stardom at Man Utd, 17th minute vs Wrexham proved it
Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox
