Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images
Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images
Manchester United’s crop of centre-backs is more about quantity than reliability, so a wonderkid is timing his breakout perfectly.
So far this pre-season, Michael Carrick has leaned into a centre-back partnership of Harry Maguire and Ayden Heaven.
Maguire is not comfortable entirely in a front-footed team, while Heaven is shining, but as it stands, Carrick might not have a choice but to stick with this pairing for the opening day.
Things might change a few months down the line, because a defensive wonderkid is slowly forcing himself into Carrick’s vision for this season.
Manchester United v AFC Wrexham - Pre-Season Friendly
Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images
Getty Images
Dan Armer is giving Michael Carrick a decision to make
Among all the youngsters from the academy who got a chance in pre-season for the first two games, many were culled in the third one.
In a way, the Atletico game started the “serious” pre-season for Carrick, as he included only those players who will form a part of the first-team this season.
It’s not a coincidence that players like Dan Gore and Toby Collyer missed out, while JJ Gabriel and Jim Thwaites got their first minutes.
Among those youngsters, Dan Armer was someone who seems to have caught Carrick’s eye.
Armer was a bright spot against Wrexham, played against Rosenborg, and managed to keep his place in Carrick’s plans for Atletico.
He hasn’t been bombastic like Shea Lacey or highly-rated like Gabriel, but he has been a calm and confident presence when called upon.
This breakout is coming at the perfect time, because United’s centre-back ranks are far less secure than they look right now.
Armer’s breakout is timed perfectly
On paper, United are well-stocked at centre-back. Lisandro Martinez, Ayden Heaven, Harry Maguire, Leny Yoro, and Matthijs de Ligt for just two places is more than enough competition.
Manchester United v Intercontinental FA: Super Cup NI - Boys Premier
Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images
Noussair Mazraoui and Luke Shaw can also play there, so options are plenty. But are they?
For starters, De Ligt and Martinez can be ruled out as constant mainstays due to their injury records.
Beyond them, Maguire looks uncomfortable in Carrick’s high-pressing system, so he won’t be the first name on the teamsheet anymore.
Yoro and Heaven have long-term upside, but all of a sudden, your most reliable CB options are two youngsters who shouldn’t be playing every week.
Furthermore, Tyler Fredricson has already been sold, pushing Armer up another place in the pecking order.
His own performances do his stock no harm, and neither does the timing of those performances. Do not be surprised that among the Laceys and Gabriels of the world, an unassuming Dan Armer emerges as a first-team player for United by the end of the season.