Michael Carrick is the new Manchester United head coach, and this could be great for the development of several midfield wonderkids currently exciting at Carrington.
Since being appointed, Michael Carrick has made his commitment to youth clear, stating it is a massive part of the club’s identity.
Carrick’s first interview showed this, with Manchester United fans feeling confident that the former club captain can restore some of the identity that had been lost under Ruben Amorim.
It was only Tuesday when United announced Carrick as head coach, yet at the first chance, he had four academy talents in training, including Jack and Tyler Fletcher as midfield options.
However, as good as the pair of Darren Fletcher’s twin sons are, the academy’s best midfield prospect has the chance to be a real breakout under Carrick.
Which Manchester United academy midfielder are you most excited about?
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Jim Thwaites should make his Manchester United debut under Michael Carrick
Carrick has Travis Binnion in his coaching staff, and if quizzed over who could be perfect to bring through and develop under a midfield genius, Jim Thwaites is sure to be picked for first-team opportunities.
Thwaites has established himself as Carrington’s best midfield prospect, running the show for the under-18s side and also under-21s this season, looking unfazed even against professional opposition.
Jim Thwaites of Manchester United walks out the tunnel at Old Trafford.
Photo by Poppy Townson – MUFC/Manchester United via Getty Images
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Carrick will love the qualities of Thwaites and could envision him being the new Hayden Hackney in his system, with excellent ball progression, dribbling, and tenacity off the ball.
It was his intensity that led Ruben Amorim to hail Thwaites last summer, but his standout quality is on the ball.
Thwaites would be perfect next to Casemiro or Manuel Ugarte, perhaps as the Kobbie Mainoo alternative, with his qualities very well suited to the system Carrick could set up.
United are very excited about Thwaites, and Carrick could be the appointment that gets the most out of him and accelerates development with midfield expertise.
Thwaites is injured right now, but when he returns, don’t be shocked to see Carrick quickly integrating the 17-year-old. His debut might come soon after.
Thwaites is ready to start playing a role for Manchester United
Anybody who is an avid viewer of the academy knows that Thwaites’ “great potential” is among the best we have to offer.
Thwaites is an extremely rare profile and would be more commonly found in La Masia than in an English academy.
In many ways, Thwaites is a mix of David Beckham and Paul Scholes, which is a dangerous thought, but it demonstrates what a player he could be.
He stands out as a shining talent every time he plays.
So if any midfielder is ready to step up, Thwaites is the one for Carrick, simply as he had the profile best suited to the head coach.
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