Manchester United have made a firm decision regarding the immediate future of highly rated academy midfielder Jim Thwaites.
According to The Sun, Thwaites will remain at Old Trafford instead of spending the season elsewhere.
The 18-year-old is expected to play for the Under-21s but will regularly train with the first team.
He will receive first-team exposure when necessary, similar to the path that was created for Jack and Tyler Fletcher last campaign.
Thwaites is highly rated by head coach Michael Carrick and his coaching staff.
He has reportedly leapfrogged the pecking order, leaving Toby Collyer and Dan Gore behind.
United are open to listening to offers for Collyer and Gore.
The teenager was also part of the 25-man squad that travelled to the Republic of Ireland for an intensive training camp in April.
He made his Under-18 debut at just 15 years of age before stepping up to the Under-21s only two years later.
Comfortable as both a number six and number eight, Thwaites already possesses impressive tactical flexibility.
Thwaites prefers to sit deep and dictate play. His excellent technical ability and progressive passing have become defining features of his game.
Although United have already signed Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans, the club remain eager to recruit another midfielder this summer.
With Manuel Ugarte expected to miss next season because of a serious knee injury, Kobbie Mainoo is currently the only other established midfield option apart from the two new signings.
Jack and Tyler could also feature regularly for the first team in the upcoming campaign.
Stats from Fotmob.com
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