Michael Carrick has included Shea Lacey and another massive Manchester United talent in training ahead of the Fulham clash.
Manchester United are absolutely flying right now, after back-to-back wins against City and Arsenal that leaves Michael Carrick as the sure current frontrunner for head coach.
However, while these wins were huge and impressive, beating Fulham would in many ways be bigger for United. This is because it is the exact opponent that has been a kryptonite for United.
United have been pushed into a title race this week, and victory here could further these claims, but more importantly tighten the grip on European football.
Ahead of the game at Old Trafford, Carrick has made an interesting inclusion in first-team training.
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Tyler Fletcher spotted in Manchester United first-team training
During the dying moments of Ruben Amorim’s reign, he handed out three academy debuts, with Tyler Fletcher finding himself the odd man out as the one to be on the bench but not play.
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Fletcher, however, probably should have been playing over his brother given it was number six shifts that Amorim had Jack Fletcher doing.
Tyler Fletcher in action during Manchester United Training Session
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But now, in the build up to facing Fulham, the official United website has posted an image of Tyler in training doing gym work.
Fletcher could be seen throwing a weighted ball, with his physicality clearly an area the club want to improve.
Despite being yet to debut, Fletcher is one of the three or four best midfielders currently in the academy, and so it isn’t a shock to see Carrick looking at him closely.
With Kobbie Mainoo currently having no substitute option, perhaps Fletcher can play that role.
Also in training was Shea Lacey as he hopes to get back into the team.
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Tyler Fletcher would be midfield upgrade on Manuel Ugarte
So far in his reign, Carrick has made it pretty clear that he doesn’t rate Manuel Ugarte, and so Fletcher could potentially take the Uruguayan’s place as third choice midfielder.
Since Carrick arrived Fletcher has been impressing in first team training.
Fletcher could fill in for Mainoo and also Casemiro, providing the extra ball security and passing range that Carrick will want in a midfielder, which Ugarte doesn’t have.
Despite being the son of Darren Fletcher, Tyler actually plays a lot like Carrick in regards of his passing, composure and calm in the middle of the park.
So perhaps this is the first glimpse of Fletcher being a player Carrick will give opportunities to. He certainly suits the new style a lot more than Ugarte.
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