Manchester United drew a blank against Sunderland for just the third time this season, as Michael Carrick’s attack faltered.
Manchester United have scored the third most goals in the Premier League this season, with only Arsenal and, somehow, a 10-man Everton side able to prevent the Red Devils from scoring during 2025/26.
But United’s 0-0 draw with Sunderland was the first time under the management of Michael Carrick that the Red Devils haven’t found a way. This did coincide with United heavily rotating, but it also raised the issue of the attack lacking impact players.
Luckily for Carrick, there is a player in the academy right now who would have a huge impact at a first-team level, bringing a skillset nobody else at the club has.
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Noah Ajayi stamped his claim for Manchester United debut vs Stoke U18
While the first-team played on Saturday afternoon, the morning saw the U18s wrap up their league season. United’s U18s beat Stoke 3-1 at Carrington, with the star of the game being Noah Ajayi.
The German youth international came out for the second half, with United trailing, and made it his mission to change the game.
Ajayi scored an emphatic long-range effort as he drilled an effort low into the bottom corner from outside the box, before then beating defenders to assist JJ Gabriel’s goal as United took the lead.
The third was also scored by Ajayi, as he crowned off a fabulous league season in style, continuing his form which should catch Carrick’s eye.
Ajayi has now scored nine and assisted two in his past 13 games for the U18s, since announcing himself in United’s 4-1 win over Oxford in the FA Youth Cup.
In 2026 alone, Ajayi has been rivalling Gabriel for the academy’s golden boy status and the German has an advantage in that he is able to debut this season.
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Michael Carrick could use a player like Ajayi in his squad
Against Sunderland, Carrick played the fringe players, and it proved a disaster as each failed him. This makes it feel like a pointless exercise and instead the head coach should be looking to give these minutes to players who have a future at the club.
Ajayi fits this bill, and his performances over the past five months are deserving of an opportunity at Old Trafford next weekend in the final home game of the season, as he can boost the attack after a truly desperate showing.
The 17-year-old is physical, quick, direct, and can change a game on his own with his sharp shooting, dribbling, or creativity.
With United drawing a blank against the Black Cats, it highlighted that Carrick needs more options in attack and Ajayi can offer him that in the next few weeks, and also over the summer and next season.
Hopefully, this is one youngster Carrick has plans for, and he’s not Bayern Munich-bound, as they have been scouting him.
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