Michael Carrick has already shown a great interest in the Manchester United academy and has taken a liking to one talent in particular.
It was so refreshing to see Michael Carrick watching academy games last week after Ruben Amorim didn’t care to keep tabs.
Carrick attended the U21s and U18s in his first few weeks, with several players standing out as the manager watched on, clearly considering potential options.
One impressive display was Rafe McCormack, who shone in front of Carrick, dominating the midfield in the FA Youth Cup.
But he won’t be alone with several others good enough to force themselves into Carrick’s plans.
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Jayce Fitzgerald walking out for Manchester United.
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Michael Carrick has already taken a liking to Jim Thwaites at Manchester United
In terms of technical ability in the academy right now, few are better than Jim Thwaites, with the midfielder being a mix of Paul Scholes and David Beckham.
Carrick was seen as the perfect coach to get Thwaites’ potential to the maximum, and it appears that already he has caught the eye of the new head coach.
Jim Thwaites in Manchester United Training Session
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This comes according to reliable insider Sully Talkz, who has claimed that Thwaites is finally closing in on return from his injury, and Carrick will be eagerly awaiting this.
Carrick has taken a ‘liking’ to Thwaites already, with the 18-year-old considered to be among the best technical talents at the club, with comparisons to Pedri.
Staff in the academy wax lyrical about Thwaites in training, with his performances in games backing up the hype. Meanwhile, first team coaches were keeping a close eye on all season, which is sure to continue under Carrick, potentially with exposure to the senior squad.
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Michael Carrick coaching Jim Thwaites is a match made in heaven
For a midfielder as talented as Thwaites, having a coach like Carrick is the dream.
Carrick and Thwaites share a love for dictating play, and so it wouldn’t be a shock to see the pair working closely in training.
Similar to Xavi with Pedri and Pep Guardiola with Xavi and Iniesta, Carrick would be a club legend bringing through an academy midfielder with traits to make it at Old Trafford; it would be exactly what the club is all about.
Andy Mitten admitted to hearing good things about Thwaites, and with his return from injury, we expect to see Adam Lawrence give him serious U21 minutes, which in turn will give Carrick the chance to then bring him up.
This is another factor going in Carrick’s favour for the managerial role debates, and it might help Thwaites become the best he can. Perhaps he can even be United’s own Pedri.
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