Shola Shoretire has opportunity to earn spot in Manchester United squad this weekend

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Bruno Fernandes’ booking against West Ham means the midfielder will be suspended for the match with Aston Villa this weekend.

This opens up a space in the matchday squad, which talented teenager Shola Shoretire will have an opportunity to earn.

How United can replace Bruno Fernandes

The player with the first opportunity to step in for Fernandes could simply be Christian Eriksen. The Dane could shift into an attacking role, allowing Fred to play box to box.

Or Fred could even be played in an advanced role, as could a returning Donny van de Beek, who is desperate for an opportunity. Another alternative could even be to give Jadon Sancho a free role in the centre.

But the recent form of Shola Shoretire for Manchester United’s under-21 side should not be dismissed. He was training with the first team on Monday ahead of this week’s Europa League showdown with Real Sociedad.

Erik ten Hag is likely to be intrigued by the teenager’s development, and having successfully promoted Alejandro Garnacho, a similar promotion could be in the pipeline.

With United’s under-21 side facing City in the mini-derby on Saturday 24 hours ahead of the Premier League match with Aston Villa, Shoretire’s weekend start may be with the academy side.

But there is not a question of whether he will start against Villa, he won’t. What he can hope for, is a place on the bench for the first time this season.

Shoretire has been in excellent form this season for the 21s, scoring five goals, currently ranking as the team’s top scorer. All five of this goals came in the month of October. He almost added to this at the weekend, hitting the post in the under-21 draw with Tottenham.

What Shoretire needs is to take a step forward, ahead of a likelier chance against Aston Villa in the Carabao Cup next week.

Fernandes may be rested for this match too if United rotate, and Shoretire has a good chance of getting into the squad for one of these two games, and potentially getting some game time in the cup tie.

But first he must impress Erik ten Hag and his coaching staff in training, on and off the pitch, to back up his strong under-21 displays.

If he can do this, then the 18-year-old might just get a call-up over the next two domestic games.