Opinions

Three Manchester United U18 prospects who are ready for a permanent spot in the U23 squad

Manchester United’s academy setup has never looked brighter. Not only are the ranks brimming with undeniable talent, but the club now have an established pathway for their prospects to break into the first-team picture.

Nicky Butt was at the centre of a restructure last summer, assuming the position of Head of First Team Development. His duties now consist of overseeing the integration of academy players into the senior squad, providing scout reports to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

On paper, the ideal blueprint for a player is for them to spend a year with the reserves, before sending them out on loan. Many figures from the U23s have impressed this season, with the side currently sitting 2nd in the lower ranked division of the Premier League 2.

Neil Wood has already revealed that many of his players will be loaned out this summer, so we’ve picked out three U18 stars that look ready to make the jump up and fill out the squad.

Hannibal Mejbri

The most obvious candidate to start with would be 17-year-old Hannibal Mejbri. The teenager is already a recognised figure around Old Trafford, not just because of his ‘Sideshow Bob’ haircut, but because the club shelled out £9m for the player last summer.

Such a fee is not usually associated with figures in this age group, but it was a necessary one to fend off the rest of Europe’s elite. Mejbri likes to operate centrally but with an attacking mindset, bringing the ball forward and creating openings inside the final third.

Embed from Getty Images

He has already featured five times for the U23s this season, registering three assists in a total playtime of just 164 minutes. The Frenchman is highly-regarded by the coaching staff at Carrington, with there being an expectancy for him to blossom into a top, top player.

Angel Gomes is unlikely to be involved with the academy next season (one way or another), and Mejbri looks a suitable figure to assume the creative void he’ll be leaving behind.

Charlie McCann

No player has featured for the U18s more this season than Charlie McCann. The holding midfielder has missed just one league game, captaining the team eleven times and starting all four victories in the FA Youth Cup.

In a nutshell, the Irishman has grown to become one of the most integral figures in Neil Ryan’s side. Sitting deep, he anchors the midfield three, allowing the more creative figures of Mejbri and Mark Helm to push forward.

McCann has been part of the U18 setup since 2018, and now looks ready for the next natural step up. With James Garner and Dylan Levitt poised for loans next season, the Irishman will fill in and add some steel to the middle of the park for Wood’s side.

Ben Hockenhull

Both Teden Mengi and Di’Shon Bernard have drawn in praise for their partnership at the back with the U23s this season, with the side boasting the least amount of goals conceded in the league.

Embed from Getty Images

Such praise is highly likely to transition into a promotion though, whether this be into the senior squad or out loan. This is arguably the most likely for Mengi, but either way, the team will require additional defensive options.

Ben Hockenhull has impressed this season, missing just two league games for the U18s and starting the two victories over Leeds and Wigan in the FA Youth Cup. Such a heavy amount of game-time is an indicator that the player is being prepared for a step up – one he looks well equipped for after his composed displays at the back.

Of course, the squad is brimming with options and selecting just three names was not an easy task. There are other honourable mentions like Dillon Hoogewerf, Helm and Charlie Wellens, including many more that will continue to make a name for themselves and push through the ranks.

Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

To Top