It is now a little over a month until Manchester United will be back in action for pre-season, and this could see an academy star break out.
Manchester United are touring Europe this summer for pre-season, and it all starts on July 18th in Helsinki.
This is the day before the World Cup final, with United set to be missing several starters who are playing in the tournament, as they won’t return until later in the month at the earliest.
Because of this, early pre-season is a golden opportunity for some of United’s finest talents to impress Michael Carrick.
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🔮
Noah Ajayi tipped for pre-season chance under Michael Carrick
It could be really exciting to see United handing several youngsters opportunities during pre-season, and now it looks as though Noah Ajayi is in with a chance.
Ajayi was one of United’s best U18 players of the 2025/26 season, and he is deserving of a reward for this, which could come in pre-season.
Now, according to the reliable United academy X account, SullyTalkz, Ajayi is being considered by Carrick for involvement in pre-season.
Carrick is said to be a big fan of Ajayi, and the young German has been impressing internally.
United coaches have been wowed by Ajayi with his power, dribbling, and lethal shooting from range and in the box. He has all the qualities needed to be an elite winger.
If he were given a chance, it might see the need to sign a winger completely negated.
Noah Ajayi will be Manchester United’s next attacking academy graduate… Do you agree?
Ajayi could become the next Marcus Rashford
Ajayi has previously admitted to admiring Cristiano Ronaldo as his role model for how he should play, but the real comparisons being made are with Marcus Rashford.
While not identical players, there are a lot of similarities that are positive.
The way Ajayi runs with the ball, beating defenders, and strikes the ball are all reminiscent of Rashford, with the power in his shots a key part of the comparison.
He is also tall and long-limbed like the former United number 10, surprisingly agile, and also deceptively quick, although not as fast as Rashford.
Ajayi finished the season with 11 goals and assists in 13 games, which is lethal form, even rivalling JJ Gabriel.
Ajayi could take pre-season by storm if Carrick chooses to unleash him.
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