Man Utd might have already named academy midfielder that will make first-team leap next season

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Manchester United’s summer transfer window plans feature at least signing two new midfielders to bolster an already weak position.

With Casemiro’s contract set to expire and Sir Jim Ratcliffe keen to sell Manuel Ugarte, the midfield department could undergo a lot of change this summer.

Kobbie Mainoo would be the only senior midfielder at Manchester United, meaning signings are needed, and at least two or maybe even three, considering a return to Champions League football.

United have a long list of options, but even with three signings, the position will need additional depth, and that’s where the academy comes in.

Predict who will be the next Manchester United academy graduate…

Will Michael Carrick crown number 259 before this season ends?🤔

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Manchester United add Jim Thwaites to first-team squad list

As part of the midfield overhaul, United are expected to promote from the academy, with some standout options staking their claims to be called up.

Among them is Jim Thwaites.

Michael Carrick has shown interest in Thwaites already, and the 18-year-old’s quality and talent make him the ideal option for the midfield.

Now, in a move that feels significant, Thwaites has been added to the first-team squad list.

In the programme squad list against Brentford, Thwaites was included, suggesting that he is now considered part of the first team squad.

Thwaites has been on the United bench once, but over the summer pre-season could see him feature heavily with Mainoo and the reported signings all likely to be World Cup-bound.

Which player does Jim Thwaites remind you of?

Do you think he will make it in the first team at Man Utd?

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Jim Thwaites and Jacob Devaney should be the two academy promotions for United

Thwaites is excellent at football, with his game probably better suited to professional football than academy games.

Next season, as a fifth-choice midfielder, he will play plenty of football in the cups and potentially even the league.

But alongside Thwaites as the sixth midfielder should be Jacob Devaney, effectively third behind two defensive-minded midfielders.

Devaney has enjoyed a brilliant loan with St Mirren, performing against Celtic and Rangers, earning himself plenty of plaudits.

Thwaites and Devaney perfectly complement eachother and having the pair to compete for places with the more senior players would be excellent squad planning.