Jack and Tyler Fletcher could feature in the Manchester United first-team next seasonplaceholder image
Jack and Tyler Fletcher could feature in the Manchester United first-team next season | Getty Images
Man Utd will give youth a chance during the first stages of their pre-season tour this summer.
It is hardly a secret that Manchester United are going to go big on refreshing their midfield in the summer transfer window.
You've probably already heard it a thousand times by now, but the priority is to add an elite option to the midfield pool, with the preference to sign someone who is already proven in the Premier League. They are even prepared to break their club-record transfer fee to do so.
Elliot Anderson is considered the dream target, while there is also interest in Carlos Baleba, Adam Wharton and Sandro Tonali. There are other options too: Joao Gomes, Alex Scott, Angelo Stiller and Mateus Fernandes also hold some appeal. The aim is to add two midfielders to the squad this summer. One who will act as the long-term successor to Casemiro, who is certain to exit despite the 'one more year' pleas from supporters, and another mobile option who can provide another option.
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It would still leave them a little light, though. United are on course to secure Champions League qualification, and with that, a heavier fixture schedule that will push their squad to its limits. You could easily argue they actually need three midfielders this summer, given Manuel Ugarte is also expected to leave the club amid doubts over his suitability for the Premier League.
Even in the best possible scenario, that would leave United with Kobbie Mainoo, Anderson, and perhaps Gomes as their three natural central midfielders. Bruno Fernandes and Mason Mount can both play there when necessary, while Lisandro Martinez is another short-term solution, but they would still only be an injury, illness, or suspension away from being very light again.
That's why United are hopeful a promising youngster will be able to step up and occupy a senior role. Toby Collyer has done that previously, but after injury-ridden spells at both West Brom and Hull, he perhaps needs a full season of regular football to help with his development.
Jack Moorhouse returned from his loan at Leyton Orient at the start of the year to provide cover at the first-team level and could well be a winner from the midfield refresh this summer. He is almost certain to get regular minutes in the early weeks of pre-season before a decision is made regarding his immediate future.
Jack and Tyler Fletcher have both featured in the senior set-up this season and are both well-regarded by current head coach Michael Carrick. Should he be handed the permanent job in the summer, then they would both be firmly on his radar and fellow candidates to feature heavily in the first weeks of pre-season at the very least.
Then there is Sekou Kone. It was only a year ago that he looked to be the big winner from the lack of midfield options, but after an injury-ridden start to the campaign, his confidence was knocked, and he has found it difficult to find the rhythm required to fulfil his huge potential. United were always well aware that the Malian would need plenty of time to adapt to new surroundings at such a young age, but while there is still hope for a very bright future, it might also be true that the move came too soon for someone who had never played in Europe before.
While his loan spell with Lausanne-Sport has not gone as hoped, fellow youngster Jacob Devaney has impressed during his first months with St. Mirren, and he, too, will return to Manchester this summer with a point to prove to the head coach. To already be a regular in the Scottish top-flight at the age of 18 is no mean feat, and there has been a belief that he is often overlooked at youth level, where talented attacking output often makes headlines.
Whether any of those hopefuls go on to fulfil such lofty ambitions is far easier said than done, but with Fernandes, Ugarte and Mainoo set to be at the World Cup and Casemiro about to leave, there will definitely be opportunities.
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