Manchester United have some of the most exciting youngsters in Europe coming through the ranks. The obvious names are mentioned time and again, with Hannibal Mejbri, Shola Shoretire and Anthony Elanga all having bright futures.
Here we take a look at three other youngsters to keep a close eye on in the new year.
Isak Hansen-Aaroen
Midfielder Isak Hansen-Aaroen has been on Manchester United fans’ radars for a long time. He was at the club’s training facilities when he was just 10 for the skills final but had to wait six years to sign for the Red Devils.
Prior to that, he was named Norway’s top talent under-15 and he made his senior debut for Tromso before his sixteenth birthday.
United knew exactly how good he was and were patient, ultimately bringing him to the club in 2020. Since then he has scored and assisted regularly for the U18s and is already making waves for the U23s.
He may only be 17, but he could have a bright future under Ralf Rangnick. The new United boss knows young talent when he sees it and Hansen-Aaroen is near the top of the pile.
Alvaro Fernandez
Left-back Alvaro Fernandez has been a regular in first-team training and some United fans are expecting him to get a chance under the new boss.
Rangnick loves attacking full-backs and Fernandez is certainly that. He scores and assists regularly for the under-23s and there will surely be a place for him at United in the years to come.
Alex Telles and Luke Shaw may be ahead of him in the pecking order, but do not be surprised if Fernandez stakes his claim sooner rather than later.
Charlie McNeill
United have a history of great goal-scorers and Charlie McNeill has everything in his locker to join that list. The 18-year-old has more goals than appearances for the U18s. He also made waves in the latter stages of the UEFA Youth League, netting in consecutive games as United qualified with ease.
McNeill made headlines when he swapped City for United in a reported £750,000 move (the Sun).
Those stories made much of his apparent 600-goal haul at various youth levels. Although those numbers are impossible to confirm, there is no doubting his talent.
McNeill is the real deal and 2022 could be his year if Rangnick is feeling brave.
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