Four Man Utd wonderkids generating real excitement behind scenes at Old Trafford

20 January 2024 , 20:30

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Erik ten Hag on the Man United training ground (Image: Manchester United via Getty Imag)

Manchester United are finding it infinitely easier to sell home-grown academy stars than off-loading big-money flops like Anthony Martial, Jadon Sancho and Donny van de Beek.‌

And until United can permanently free themselves of troubled £300,000-a-week Sancho, £250,000-a-week French striker Martial and £140,000 Dutch midfielder Van de Beek, the drifting former champions are having to trade youngsters to raise funds and lighten their huge wage bill.

That's seen first-team boss Erik ten Hag sanction departures for players thought to have a future at the club. Fans have been surprised why United have let talented young academy stars like Hannibal Mejbri, Alvaro Fernandez - both 20 - and Colombian striker Mateo Mejia leave either permanently or on loan in the January window with a view to summer sales.

‌Tunisian international midfielder Mejbri has joined Seville until the end of the season while left-back Fernandez has left on loan for Benfica. The former Real Madrid academy star is expected to make a £5.5million move permanent in the summer while Mejia has left for Seville for an undisclosed fee.

Talented 19-year-old Norwegian U-21 midfielder Isak Hansen-Aaroen could also be loaned or sold. But die-hard supporters invested in United’s youth-famed policy shouldn’t despair.

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‌With the first team squad massively underperforming, Ten Hag and club bosses are believed to be excited at the potential of a new wave of thrilling prospects waiting in the wings in the club’s Under-18 set-up.

‌And they are optimistic that even in the uncertain world of teenage player development, they may have unearthed stars with the same quality and potential as Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo.

‌United have suffered years of overspending on transfer fees and wages for players who have failed to flourish in the unique pressure-cooker atmosphere of Old Trafford.

Hannibal Mejbri recently left Man United on loan (Getty Images)

‌And tightening regulations around profit and sustainability will lead to a new financial strategy under billionaire investor Sir Jim Ratcliffe. That’s thought to involve a quicker churn of players who, long-term, may not be good enough for a regular first-team place - especially if the club identify potential stars further down the academy chain.

‌Ten Hag has overseen a flurry of loan moves for stars like Mejbri, Fernandez, striker Joe Hugill who has joined Burton Albion, and Polish youth international Maxi Oyedele who has gone to Forest Green Rovers. Midfielder Dan Gore is next in line for a loan spell with Port Vale leading several clubs wanting to take the local-born England U-20 star.

Meet the next wave of stars generating real excitement at United's Carrington training HQ

Shea Lacey, 16: The Liverpool-born star is said to have the technical ability, balance, speed and potential to join the list of teenagers who have forged big careers at Old Trafford. Already on Erik ten Hag’s radar, Lacey is a hugely gifted left-footer and has already been compared to Manchester City and England icon Phil Foden. The attacking midfielder is often deployed as a right winger who cuts inside and frequently gets pulses racing with his dribbling ability. Turned in an eye-catching display in this season’s Uefa Youth League against an experienced and physical Galatasaray U-19 side that showcased his shimmering talent. Is also highly prized in the England U-17 set-up after several sparkling displays.

Jack Fletcher, 16: Twin brother of another United junior star Tyler and son of former Old Trafford star and current Technical Director Darren, Jack is a dynamic midfielder being tipped for a first-team place. Along with his brother, switched from Manchester City’s junior set-up last summer after nine years at The Etihad Academy. Jack has already made his mark with United’s U-18s scoring and grabbing an assist in his debut against Leeds. Has trained with the first team squad and although, like Lacey, he lacks the physicality for immediate inclusion in Ten Hag’s plans coaches are confident he can bridge the gap in the near future. Has represented England and Scotland at U-16 level but was persuaded to commit to the Three Lions and scored the opener for the U-17s in an 8-0 European Championship win over Faroe Islands in November.

Jayce Fitzgerald, 16: The Salford-born youngster is an aggressive, ball-playing central midfielder who has an eye for a goal and is making strides in United’s star-sprinkled U-18 side. Local boy Fitzgerald has impressed development coaches at Carrington and Erik ten Hag has already invited the midfielder into first-team squad training sessions. Like Lacey and Fletcher, Fitzgerald is in the England U-17 set-up making the first of his four caps last September.

Amir Ibragimov, 15: The Russian-born striker is from a talented sporting family with his oldest brother an MMA fighter and his other two younger siblings also at United’s academy. Amir came to England from Dagestan with his family in 2018 and initially joined Sheffield United’s academy. Since arriving at Old Trafford he’s wowed coaches, had a personal meeting with Sir Alex Ferguson and trained with Erik ten Hag’s first team. Last week he scored all four United goals in a 4-1 U-16 win against Newcastle leaving onlookers astonished at his ability. Although he’s eligible to play for Russia Ibragimov has already featured for England U-15s and has signed a scholarship deal at United until he can sign a pro contract at 17.

Steve Bates