Photo by Markku Ulander / Lehtikuva / AFP via Getty Images
Photo by Markku Ulander / Lehtikuva / AFP via Getty Images
Michael Carrick’s final squad for competitive action is taking shape, and he provided three hints with his selection vs Atletico.
As more and more senior players return from their extended break after the World Cup, the players who are not getting minutes are likely on their way out.
Against Atletico, the team was culled of many young players, some of whom were always likely to leave, like Toby Collyer and Dan Gore.
However, Michael Carrick provided hints on three players whose futures were under the scanner.
Rosenborg BK v Manchester United - Pre-Season Friendly
Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images
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1 – Harry Amass lives to fight another day
Harry Amass has been one of the bright lights of this year’s pre-season, and yet, United are open to selling him for just £6m.
However, if Carrick was set in his ways, he wouldn’t have given Amass more minutes against Atletico, where he looked better than Luke Shaw, again.
It looks like Amass’ future at Old Trafford is contingent on whether United manage to sign Lewis Hall.
Otherwise, they will keep Amass, and that’s a decision that could age as a stroke of genius, even if United don’t want that right now.
Seeing Carrick continue to give him minutes means his race at United is not run yet. The same can’t be said for his teammate.
2 – It’s over for Radek Vitek
In contrast to Amass, this was the first time Radek Vitek didn’t get any minutes, with Tom Heaton playing the full 90 despite having zero chance at getting competitive minutes.
Vitek wants to be a starter, which he won’t get at United, while the club could do with the extra millions from his sale.
After not being risked against Atletico, it looks like some sort of deal in the background is advanced, and it won’t be a surprise if he isn’t a Man Utd player anymore by the next game on August 8.
United would do well to maintain control over his future with a sell-on and buy-back clause, but for now, his future lies elsewhere.
3 – Chido Obi will enter the loan purgatory
In the absence of Benjamin Sesko, and with Everton showing interest in Ethan Wheatley, the stage was set for Chido Obi to get more minutes.
Chido Obi playing against Fulham U21
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Instead, Bryan Mbeumo started as the striker, Amad was drafted in despite training for less than a week, and Obi didn’t even make the squad.
After seeing Wheatley get minutes ahead of him against Wrexham and a small cameo against Rosenborg, his exclusion is damning for his first-team prospects this season.
At a time when United are looking for a backup to Sesko, it looks like Obi will spend his time elsewhere in loan purgatory.
He needs to have a flying loan and make himself undeniable this time next season.