The Red Devils have fast-tracked their latest Carrington standout, reportedly ranking the teenager above fellow prospects as a midfield overhaul opens the door for a senior breakthrough.
Let's talk about Man Utd's midfield situation...
More Videos
Manchester United have long had an impressive record of producing a plethora of midfielders from their prestigious academy at Carrington. Paul Scholes and Kobbie Mainoo are two of the Manchester United academy graduates in that position.
It seems the Red Devils may have another midfield gem on their hands in the form of 18-year-old Jim Thwaites. The young midfielder still has to wait for his senior appearance for United, but it doesn't seem too far away, given how he has impressed for the youth teams.
Thwaites has been able to make the bench for United once last season, in a 1-0 win over Chelsea, and has been involved in United's pre-season camp, getting his first minutes against Atletico Madrid, where United ran out 2-1 winners, with Thwaites managing to play the final eight minutes in the friendly in Sweden.
Thwaites set to stay at Old Trafford
According to The Sun, United head coach Michael Carrick is impressed with Thwaites from last season and wants to keep the midfielder at the club this season, with a loan move seemingly off the table.
The young midfielder has flew up in Carrick and his staff's ranking with Thwaites being rated higher than Toby Collyer and Dan Gore in Carrington's midfield department.
It is expected that Thwaites will take a similar path to Tyler and Jack Fletcher, with the brothers being a mainstay in the under-21s side, alongside some first-team training and his first senior minutes.
Michael Carrick bolsters his ranks as Youri Tielemans prepares for his debut alongside returning World Cup stars for a high-stakes Gothenburg clash with the European champions.roundtable.ioMan Utd Travelling Squad vs PSG Confirmed Matheus Cunha Omitted
Michael Carrick bolsters his ranks as Youri Tielemans prepares for his debut alongside returning World Cup stars for a high-stakes Gothenburg clash with the European champions.
Should United be looking to Thwaites this season?
United have been undergoing a midfield overhaul this summer, with Youri Tielemans and Andrey Santos brought in, Casemiro leaving, and Manuel Ugarte seemingly halfway out the door.
All of this change could open the door for an academy graduate, like Thwaites, to burst his way into the squad with a handful of good performances, with United still being quite light in midfield, with Mainoo, Santos and Tielemans being the only defensive-minded senior midfielders at the club.
It is going to be a hectic year at Old Trafford this season, with the return of Champions League football, both domestic cups, and high expectations in the league. The Red Devils will need to use all of their squad, so it is a golden opportunity for someone like Thwaites to prove himself on the biggest stage.
The same can be said for multiple young stars at United, such as Shea Lacey and Harry Amass, although the latter is rumoured with an exit this month.