Seventeen-year-old defender Tyler Fredricson has been pictured training with Manchester United’s first team ahead of Thursday’s trip to Real Sociedad.
With Raphael Varane injured and Victor Lindelof ill, Erik ten Hag didn’t name a centre-back on the bench in Sunday’s 1-0 win against West Ham United at Old Trafford.
Following the battling win against David Moyes’ Hammers, the Red Devils were pictured back in training at Carrington yesterday.
While the players who started the win against the Irons undertook a recovery session on the grass, United’s other first team stars and youngsters carried out a full session, but there was no sign of Varane, Lindelof or Antony, but Anthony Martial did return to group training.
Tyler Fredricson trains with Manchester United first team
With Varane ruled out until the World Cup and Lindelof struggling with illness, Ten Hag is significantly short on numbers at centre-back.
Club captain Harry Maguire made his first start since mid-August against West Ham with Sweden’s national team captain missing out.
Lisandro Martinez has started 16 of United’s 17 games this season, but Fredricson’s call-up to first team training is likely down to Ten Hag wanting cover ahead of the trip to San Sebastian.
Fredricson, who signed his first pro deal with United in May, was part of Travis Binnion’s FA Youth Cup winning side last season, but having played every minute of the young Reds run to the final, the England Under-18 missed the final against Nottingham Forest due to injury.
The teenager, who moved up to United’s Under-21s side for the 2022-23 campaign, was on the bench for United’s 1-0 loss to Sociedad at Old Trafford in September.
It’s not the first time the right-footed centre-halve has trained with the first team as he did the same back in September ahead our Europa League Group E opener.
With Ten Hag able to name 12 substitutes in Europe and question marks surrounding Lindelof’s availability, Fredricson could form part of United’s travelling contingent to face La Real.