Manchester United are yet to welcome a new signing this summer, which means Michael Carrick could heavily rely upon the youth at Carrington.
After a month and a half off, Manchester United returns to Carrington this week to begin getting ready for the 2026/27 campaign, and there won’t be a single new face arriving due to the lack of transfer business.
This is far from the ideal preparation to a huge campaign for Michael Carrick, but it could end up being a blessing in disguise. It gives Carrick the chance to integrate youth, having been such a supporter of the academy, he can see which talents are ready to play a part next season.
With pre-season set to begin, here are 11 talents we think will be involved for United, and have a chance to nailing down a place in Carrick’s plans.
Which youngster are you MOST excited to watch during pre-season?
With the World Cup this summer, pre-season will have plenty of academy involvement🔮
Radek Vitek
United may be planning to sell Radek Vitek this summer, but he hasn’t gone yet and could get a chance to impress Carrick over the next few weeks, with Senne Lammens on the bench for Belgium at the World Cup.
In an ideal world, Vitek would be kept to be the second goalkeeper for the cup competitions, and he might make it so United don’t want to risk selling him with a big pre-season. However, a big offer may be too good to turn down given it would be pure profit.
- 2026/27 Prediction: Sold for £15-20m
Jaydan Kamason
United need a right-back for pre-season, with Diogo Dalot and Noussair Mazraoui both set to miss the opening weeks through World Cup involvement. In this case, Jaydan Kamason is best positioned to step up for Carrick.
Kamason is United’s best and most complete right-back prospect, making him a likely pre-season feature. But pre-season might just be a way for him to earn a loan move later in the summer, as he is unlikely to play over Dalot or Mazraoui.
- 2026/27 Prediction: Loan in August
Yuel Helafu
Behind Kamason, another option is Yuel Helafu who took the U18s and 21s by storm last season. United coaches were shocked by Helafu after his quick development.
He would be a really interesting option in pre-season as the more reserved full-back who inverts as Carrick likes. A huge talent, but at 17, this coming season probably comes a little soon for him to be pushing toward the first-team.
- 2026/27 Prediction: Academy football next season with chance of a competitive debut
Harry Amass
One of the more likely youngsters to nail down a place is Harry Amass, who should be ready to step up as Luke Shaw’s successor over the course of the 2026/27 season. Coming off a brilliant loan for Sheffield Wednesday, Amass has shown himself capable of contributing.
United could see Amass as a Lewis Hall alternative given the similarities between the two, and also to Shaw. This should be Amass’ proper breakout season for United.
- 2026/27 Prediction: Regular first teamer
Jacob Devaney
Like Amass, Jacob Devaney had a successful loan during the 2025/26 season and will return to Carrington this summer ready to make the step up. United in Focus understand that Devaney is lined up for pre-season opportunities.
With the midfield rebuild yet to take place, Devaney could have a golden chance to prove he is everything Carrick needs in an option next season. Devaney is perfectly suited to making the leap having shone in Scotland and as that rotational midfield option behind the senior players, he could be perfect.
Already such a complete and professional player, United have a ready-made option in Devaney.
- 2026/27 Prediction: First team squad member
Jim Thwaites
Like Devaney, Jim Thwaites could be another beneficiary of the lack of senior midfield options as he looks to take his incredible ability to a first team level. After his incredible season for the academy, Carrick can’t deny Thwaites his opportunity.
Thwaites is ready to breakthrough and could become the best on-ball midfielder at the club quite quickly if given the chance. He is far too good for the academy and this pre-season he should prove it. Expect him to debut competitively over this season, and potentially be pre-season’s breakout star.
Where will Jim Thwaites be in 12 months?
He's got all the tools to excel in the Manchester United first-team…
- 2026/27 Prediction: First team debut
Jack Fletcher
Bruno Fernandes is out of the World Cup, but his involvement means he won’t be available until the end of July, which might mean Jack Fletcher is given some opportunities in the attacking midfield role.
Last season, Fletcher did everything possible to earn a chance under Carrick, making U21 football look relatively simple and he therefore should be trialled in pre-season. But the likely end of the summer would be a loan in August, potentially to Scotland.
- 2026/27 Prediction: Loan in August
Shea Lacey
If there was one player who is sure to be settling in as a first-team regular next season it is Shea Lacey, who is primed for an explosive campaign.
Lacey looks the best placed wonderkid to step up having shone a number of times for the senior side last season. He should be playing the cup competitions and making league cameos throughout 2026/27, and that starts with a big pre-season.
- 2026/27 Prediction: First team regular
JJ Gabriel
Where do you think JJ Gabriel will be by the time he is 18?🔮
He's been playing against 18-year-olds all season, but how good will he be in three years?
JJ Gabriel has been tipped for pre-season with United this summer, despite being just 15, which is an indication of how highly the club regard him.
Despite his talent, Gabriel isn’t going to start every week for the first-team but we expect he will have the odd opportunity, and that is probably true for pre-season. Expect him to feature early in the tour, and unless he makes it impossible to drop him, probably then starts the season in the academy.
A potential world-beater, United need to handle him right. But his first-team journey will begin here.
- 2026/27 Prediction: First-team minutes but mainly playing for academy
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