Last year, Kobbie Mainoo’s journey took an unexpected turn when he had to leave Manchester United’s pre-season friendly against Real Madrid in Las Vegas due to injury, kicking off a four-month recovery.
At that point, nobody could have predicted he’d become a key player for both Manchester United and England, ending the season by playing in the finals of both the FA Cup and Euro 2024.
Mainoo has now set an inspiring example for Manchester United’s emerging stars, much like Alejandro Garnacho did before him. While the team has been training in Los Angeles for the past two weeks, Mainoo has been enjoying some downtime in the city.
However, he made sure to drop by the final training session at UCLA to wish his teammates well before they headed to South Carolina for their last tour game against Liverpool.
Youngsters Seize Their Moment
The recent three-match tour has been a golden opportunity for young talents to step up in the absence of key international players like Mainoo, who are taking a break after the Euros and Copa America.
Let’s dive into some of the standout young players and see how their chances of making an impact in Erik ten Hag’s squad are shaping up this season.
Harry Amass: Rising Star at Left-Back
Rating: 4/5**
Left-back was a challenging position for Ten Hag last season, particularly with Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia sidelined for extended periods. Enter Harry Amass, a promising 17-year-old who joined United from Watford last year. Amass signed his first professional contract in March and even made the bench against Liverpool shortly after.
This pre-season, Amass has been making a mark by starting in matches against Arsenal and Real Betis, and he impressed with his performance against Rosenborg and Rangers.
His highlight so far was delivering a brilliant cross for Amad Diallo’s goal against Real Betis and showing his defensive prowess with a fierce double tackle.
Amass is excited about the comparisons to Shaw, saying, “It’s a good comparison.
Shaw’s one of the best left-backs in the Premier League, so I’m happy with that.”
With Shaw set to return to training soon and Malacia still recovering from surgery, Amass might have to be patient, especially with United nearing a deal for right-back Noussair Mazraoui from Bayern Munich, who can also play on the left.
Ten Hag acknowledges Amass’s potential but notes he still has some catching up to do. “He’s not far off, but he needs to develop some skills to compete at the top level.
With big talent, progress can be rapid, so it will be interesting to see how he develops.”
Toby Collyer: Making Waves in Midfield
Rating: 4/5**
When Ten Hag celebrated winning the Carabao Cup in his first season, he made sure to include Mainoo in the celebration, even though he wasn’t in the squad at the time.
A year later, Mainoo was a regular starter. Similarly, when Ten Hag took time to speak with Collyer after the FA Cup win in May, it was a meaningful gesture.
Collyer, a 20-year-old midfielder, stood out in the pre-season friendlies, earning starts against Rosenborg, Rangers, and Arsenal. Ten Hag, who personally attended Collyer’s contract signing, believes in making pathways for young players who earn their spot.
Collyer, known for his energetic play and powerful presence in midfield, has impressed with his performance and is eager to continue developing.
Collyer’s future at United may hinge on the status of players like Scott McTominay, Casemiro, and Eriksen, but he’s hopeful about his chances. “Being on the bench has been a valuable experience.
Now, with more pre-season minutes, I’m just focused on improving and taking every opportunity that comes my way.”
Ethan Wheatley: The Prolific Striker
Rating: 4/5**
Ethan Wheatley, another promising talent from Stockport, succeeded Mainoo as United’s Young Player of the Year last season and became the 250th academy graduate to make a first-team debut.
He had a notable introduction by scoring twice in the Under-18 Premier League Cup final and making a brief appearance in a senior game against Sheffield United.
The 20-year-old striker, known for his power and goal-scoring ability, has made a strong impression on the pre-season tour.
With Rasmus Hojlund sidelined for six weeks and new signing Joshua Zirkzee still adjusting, Wheatley could find himself on the bench in the early part of the season. He’s excited about the opportunity to learn from Ruud van Nistelrooy, United’s new assistant manager.
Wheatley says, “I’m just taking everything step by step. I had a taste of it last season and now I want to keep developing and impressing. Hopefully, I’ll get more chances to show what I can do.”
TDPel Media
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