Manchester United youngster Jack Moorhouse could be in line for a surprise first-team call-up this season after returning from his loan at Leyton Orient, according to the Daily Mail.
The Red Devils had a very quiet winter transfer window with no first-team arrivals for interim manager Michael Carrick, while no first-team players departed either, despite speculation over the futures of Kobbie Mainoo, Manuel Ugarte, Joshua Zirkzee, and Tyrell Malacia.
But the club did sort out the futures of several young players during the month, and that included a last-minute decision to bring back 20-year-old Moorhouse from his loan away, which could set him up for a spot in Carrick's team later this season.
Moorhouse Considered for Man Utd Debut
Jack MoorhouseImage source: @academyarena on Instagram
Moorhouse, who is yet to make his first-team debut for Man Utd, spent the first half of the season in League One with Leyton Orient, where he made 22 appearances and registered one assist in that time.
However, after Orient's recruitment during the January window and a change of tactics, United chiefs made the late decision to bring the young midfielder back to Old Trafford to continue his development, with the expectation being that he will become part of the academy squad playing under Adam Lawrence.
But the club announced this week that Moorhouse has been training with the first-team squad this week, and according to a report, he could be in contention for a spot in Carrick's squad should there be some midfield injuries in the squad.
Carrick has been playing a midfield three of Casemiro, Kobbie Mainoo and Bruno Fernandes so far in his tenure, with Ugarte providing cover off the bench.
But a lack of midfield options means that Jack Fletcher and Tyler Fletcher have often found themselves on the bench this season, and now Moorhouse could leapfrog them to claim that spot.
Man Utd Academy Important to Carrick
man utd carrick
Part of the reason Carrick was brought in as the interim manager was because of his affinity with the club and its fans, and he knows how important the academy is to the DNA of Man Utd.
There is an importance to having a pathway from the academy to the first-team, and while it's clear that he isn't ready to be a starter yet, Moorhouse is more than capable of making an impact in the Premier League if he's needed.
Bringing him into the fold would show just how highly-rated he is, and he could be a name to look out for in the future at Old Trafford.
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It would be a huge move from the Red Devils.