Three Manchester United academy players who could be game-changers for Erik ten Hag right now

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With Erik ten Hag’s Manchester United struggling this season, it could be time that he turns to the ever-reliable academy for solutions.

Manchester United currently sit 14th in the Premier League after a worst start to a league season in 35 years and for Erik ten Hag there is serious pressure building.

Position	Team	Played MP	Won W	Drawn D	Lost L	For GF	Against GA	Diff GD	Points Pts
14	Man UtdManchester United	7	2	2	3	5	8	-3	8

Ineos may have decided to give the Dutchman a stay of execution, with no decision communicated yet after the meetings which took place earlier this week.

But fans are also growing weary of the way Ten Hag has his United side playing football, and things need to change and fast at Old Trafford.

In order to do so, perhaps he should in fact turn to the United academy, a move which has already brought Ten Hag some real success in his two and a bit seasons in charge.

• READ MORE: Manchester United’s Best Academy Players of All Time

Dan Gore

The first player we think could prove a very valuable asset to Ten Hag in midfield is Dan Gore.

The 20-year-old only recently returned from his long-standing injury lay-off, despite so long out of action, Gore has made for lost time and already caught Ineos’ eye during his handful of U21 appearances to date this season.

Against Doncaster in the EFL Trophy on his comeback appearance, Gore was a standout and after a few more impressive outings, he has been back in Ten Hag’s plans.

After Mason Mount’s injury, Gore was in first-team training and was part of the squad which United took to Porto for the Europa League.

Clearly, Ten Hag rates Gore and he gave him two appearances last season – something Gore will now be looking to build upon.

With the struggles of both Manuel Ugarte and Casemiro, perhaps Gore will get a chance sooner rather than later – he may even be eyeing the Carabao Cup fourth round vs Leicester.

Gabriele Biancheri

So far this season, Gabriele Biancheri has been the standout player at Carrington with 12 goals already scored by the young Welshman – 11 for U18s and one for U21s.

Biancheri has scored in every U18 game he has played this season and is banging on the door of the first team which has struggled with scoring this season.

Both Joshua Zirkzee and Rasmus Hojlund have scored only one goal each this season. So in order to shake things up, Biancheri could be ideal to start in the Europa League.

The clinical goalscoring that Biancheri is demonstrating this season should be enough to get him a chance which could come at the expense of Ethan Wheatley.

Biancheri is a true box striker and if played along with Amad Diallo, we’d back him to make an instant impact if he gets chances in the game.

This could be a game-changing addition to the first-team squad as he has qualities that neither Zirkzee nor Hojlund do and that being a Chicharito-esque striker for United.

Harry Amass

The final name on the list of academy players who could help Ten Hag is Harry Amass, with the 17-year-old long tipped to be the breakout star of 2024/25.

United view Amass as a special footballer and while he awaits a competitive senior debut, he has been in excellent form for the U21s, sending Ten Hag several messages.

Now, Amass’ debut could be on the cards after Noussair Mazraoui – this could place the teenager in good stead to feature against Brentford next weekend.

Amass is probably the player closest to being called up and used regularly for United – although concerns over his physicality have put Ten Hag off so far.

Youth, Courage, Success is a motto frequently used at United and if Ten Hag is to improve, it is time he follows this and uses the youth.