Manchester United have had a rich history of nurturing and promoting their academy stars.
Every manager at Old Trafford is expected to honour that tradition, and under Ruben Amorim, attention now turns to which youngsters will break through this season.
According to the Manchester Evening News, Sekou Kone, Gabriele Biancheri and Shea Lacey could have departed on loan but they remained at United.
Amorim could call upon them again to supplement senior training this season.
Expectations are high for the young trio
Biancheri was expected to leave the club on a season-long loan last month but he ultimately stayed put.
The 18-year-old was unstoppable last season, netting 21 goals and recording six assists in 35 games at the academy.
Even when shifted out wide to accommodate Chido Obi, Biancheri maintained his form.
Canada and Wales are battling it out for his services at the international level.
A loan move to a League One/League Two division would have given him a taste of senior football and helped him refine his skills.
Shea Lacey is one of the brightest prospects at the academy level.
If not for a frustrating run of injuries, the teenager might already have been around the first team.
He looks to be fully fit now and is reminding everyone of his talent with a stunning goal against the PFA XI.
United Under-21 head coach Travis Binnion believes Lacey will be a “top, top player“.
Despite only being 18, Lacey made his debut at the U21 level last week and all signs suggest he will now be a regular at that level.
He has predominantly played at right wing, but seems to be an ideal fit for the right-sided number 10 role.
He is technically sound and is capable of unlocking tight defences with flair.
Staying fit and catching up on the tactical development lost during his injuries has to be his challenge for 2025.
Sekou Kone is the closest of the three to breaking into Amorim’s senior squad.
With INEOS failing to land the athletic midfielder they craved this summer, the door has opened wide for the 19-year-old.
Unfortunately he suffered a nasty head injury in the National League Cup game against Tamworth that was ultimately abandoned around half-time.
It was revealed later that he fractured his eye socket and this could possibly delay his first-team debut.
Despite being too raw to be thrown into a highly intense Premier League game, Kone has massive potential and could be the perfect heir to Casemiro.
Amorim could wait for the FA Cup tournament to give a debut to one of the trio after being eliminated from the Carabao Cup.
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