Ederson will miss the start of pre-season after linking up with the Brazil squad for the World Cup.
One of the big positives about the Ederson deal was that the Atalanta midfielder was set to join up with Manchester United for the start of pre-season.
This won’t be happening now as Ederson has been called up into the Brazil squad for the World Cup. I’ve had a little moan about how this negatively impacts Manchester United’s pre-season plans.
But let’s not dwell on the negatives. There are positives to take too, namely in the ‘next man up’ opportunity it will provide.
Ederson joins Kobbie Mainoo, Bruno Fernandes and Manuel Ugarte at the World Cup. And Tyler Fletcher too. It means Manchester United’s only available first team central midfielder will be Mason Mount.
Michael Carrick will lean on the academy to fill the gaps (although hopefully there is another new signing added).
Here are five players jostling for position, hoping to get an opportunity.
Ederson has been called into Brazil’s World Cup squad – What is your INSTANT REACTION
Jacob Devaney
Jacob Devaney has earned a shot in pre-season after an impressive loan spell in Scotland with St Mirren.
Devaney received rave reviews north of the border, playing 16 games in total, making a seamless transition to first team football.
Also a Republic of Ireland under-21 international, Devaney could stand the best chance of making a step up and impressing Michael Carrick.
Dan Gore
It’s now or never for Dan Gore, Kobbie Mainoo’s midfield partner in the 2022 FA Youth Cup winning side.
After two loan spells were wrecked by injuries, Gore finally put together a complete season, starring on loan for Rotherham.
Now with more than 40 games under his belt at first team level, Gore will return to Carrington as a very different player to the one who left.
Sekou Kone
Sekou Kone‘s loan spell at Lausanne suggested he might not be ready for the jump to Manchester United, but this is a fresh start.
The Mali youth international had a taste of first team action in the Swiss top flight, and the World Cup absences give him a chance to jump the queue at United.
He is now entering his third season at the club, and now is the time to start kicking on.
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🔮
Jim Thwaites
Jim Thwaites has really caught the eye at Manchester United with a series of impressive performances for the under-18s and under-21s.
Thwaites trained with United’s first team on the late-season trip to Ireland, and he was also named on the bench by Michael Carrick away at Chelsea.
It feels like Thwaites’ ascendance is inevitable at United, and he could really make a name for himself in pre-season with his dead ball prowess.
Cristian Orozco – Have Manchester United just signed the next midfield superstar? 🇨🇴
Cristian Orozco
The wildcard option, Cristian Orozco is due to formalise his transfer from Fortaleza in early July after he turns 18.
Orozco has captained Colombia at under-17s level and there are high hopes for him. He is expected to spend his first season with the academy.
Pre-season is an opportunity to throw him straight in at the deep end and see how he copes.
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