Manchester United face a huge week to get back on track after an unhappy loss in the Premier League at Brighton.
While the next few days will inevitably be dominated by transfer talk as the deadline approaches, by the weekend, all attention will be on the pitch.
On Sunday, United will host Liverpool in the Premier League, and the transfer window will be in the rear mirror.
Erik ten Hag is already planning for the game, and he has used the training sessions at Carrington to add some youth to the mix to add a little competition.
Jack Fletcher involved
Teenage midfielder Jack Fletcher has made a fantastic start to the season in the under-21s and has been called up to train with the first team.
Fletcher inspired a stunning comeback for the 21s last week against Barnsley in the EFL Trophy, scoring twice, including one half-volley from 25-yards out.
He followed this up with a goal in the win over Stoke City on Friday night, continuing his bright start to the season.
Fletcher went on the pre-season tour, he was the youngest player to make the trip. But this call-up to the squad during the season could be even more important.
The 17-year-old was invited to train with the first team late in 2023 after some impressive under-18s displays.
Erik ten Hag is keen to mix in top youth talent and give them opportunities to impress. He has demonstrated he will throw them in when and if he considers the time is right.
Ethan Ennis and Habeeb Ogunneye involved
Also in the session were Harry Amass and Toby Collyer, two players now considered first team squad regulars even though they featured for the under-21s last week to get some game time in.
Both players could have roles over the season, while Fletcher is hoping for his breakthrough.
Also called up to the training session were Ethan Ennis and Habeeb Ogunneye, two players who were really unlucky to miss out on the pre-season tour squad.
Sometimes progress can be shown in how players respond to disappointment, and both players have begun the season well in the academy.
Ennis was a bright spark in the friendly with Rosenborg, and he has begun the season well, scoring for the under-21s against Arsenal and then in the EFL Trophy with Barnsley.
The former Liverpool youth talent’s pace and directness were on show, demonstrating he has fully recovered from the ACL injury he suffered in July 2022.
Now 19, his call-up to train with the first team squad has been hard-earned, and is well deserved.
Ogunneye is an interesting option as he plays at right-back, and made the substitutes bench several times at the end of last season.
While Noussair Mazraoui has strengthened options, United are without a fit left-back currently which has left Diogo Dalot playing there.
Ogunneye then could prove useful if he seizes his chance to impress. It was a little odd he was not included on tour, but this might have been related to an injury rather than purely a selection choice.
He is back performing for the under-21s now, providing an assist in the 4-1 win over Stoke on Friday.
Like Fletcher and Ennis, Ogunneye’s call-up to train with Erik ten Hag’s group is based on form and merit, not simply the fact he is a full-back.
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