Manchester United conclude the Premier League season against Brighton and multiple academy players should get their chances in the first-team.
Michael Carrick takes his Manchester United side down south on Sunday for the final game of the 2025/26 campaign.
Having secured Champions League football weeks ago, and also now being guaranteed third place, United have little to play for on Sunday and so it feels the perfect chance for some academy integration.
If so, United have multiple youngsters who deserve a chance to prove their quality to Carrick and earn a place in his thinking for next season.
Shea Lacey
First and foremost, Shea Lacey absolutely has to start for United against Brighton.
The 19-year-old has patiently awaited another opportunity, and this weekend feels like his best chance.
Lacey looked excellent in cameos earlier this season and is completely ready to step up into the senior side for United.
Amad has been poor for a long time, and Lacey starting on the right wing should be a formality at this point. Hopefully, he can even get a first goal.
What are your expectations for Shea Lacey next season?
If he can stay fit surely he gets plenty of minutes…🤔
Jim Thwaites
Next on the list is Jim Thwaites, with the midfielder widely considered to be the most exciting midfield talent in the academy.
Thwaites is being considered for his first-team debut against Brighton, according to reports.
This season has seen Thwaites catch Michael Carrick’s eye, and now he could finally get the chance to prove his quality at the highest level.
This is one debut we would be very excited to see, either partnering Kobbie Mainoo or Casemiro.
Tyler Fletcher
Fresh off winning the Denzil Haroun U21 player of the year, Tyler Fletcher could and should be in with a chance of making a second senior appearance.
Fletcher has been performing at a high level for the U21s all season, which earned him his debut against Spurs in February.
Following this up with a second appearance to conclude his campaign would be a great move, likely from the bench in midfield.
It would put him in the shop window ahead of a possible summer loan.
Godwill Kukonki
Like Thwaites, Godwill Kukonki is being considered for a debut this weekend against Brighton.
This season has seen Kukonki shine as a left-back, with his dominant runs down the flank proving tough for academy defenders to stop.
Premier League football would be a new challenge, but physically, he should be up to it.
Expect him to replace Luke Shaw at some stage on Sunday.
Chido Obi
Chido Obi should be in with an outside chance of playing against Brighton, with Benjamin Sesko’s status unclear and Joshua Zirkzee not good enough.
Obi has taken a step back this season, but his performances have been impressive, developing physically and in his all-around game.
Despite being less hyped this season compared with last, Obi has scored 20 goals across U21 and U18 football, and deserves this opportunity to stake his claim for a role in Carrick’s plans.
Jack Fletcher
Finally, Jack Fletcher is another we assume will be in with a chance of getting minutes against Brighton.
Fletcher debuted in December and was unfairly pushed into trying to play a role he isn’t a natural in, and struggled.
But against Brighton, he should get the chance to play in attacking midfield from the bench, after Bruno Fernandes breaks the assist record.
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