MANCHESTER UNITED promoted FIVE academy stars to train with the first-team this week ahead of Ruben Amorim’s trip to face Crystal Palace.
Rising star JJ Gabriel – who turned 15 last month – was the youngest player to feature after a stellar start to the season for the Under-18s.
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Man Utd promoted five academy stars to train with the first-team this weekCredit: Getty
Noussair Mazraoui and 17-year-old winger Noah AjayiCredit: Getty
JJ Gabriel is pictured in the middleCredit: Getty
It is understood that Gabriel, who only participated in Thursday’s session, was involved because the Under-21s squad had a heavy fixture load this week, including two matches played behind closed doors.
Gabriel has scored seven goals and provided one assist in nine Premier League 2 appearances since making the jump to Darren Fletcher’s squad this term.
The schoolboy won’t be able to make his Premier League debut this season due to rulings that state players must turn 15 by August 31.
But Gabriel could play as soon as January, with the same rules not applying in the FA Cup.
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Under-21s forward Shea Lacey was back with the seniors after earning his first call up to the Premier League matchday squad for the dismal defeat against 10-man Everton on Monday.
Little known left winger Noah Ajayi – who celebrated his 17th birthday this week – was spotted taking part in a rondo with Diogo Dalot, Bryan Mbuemo and Patrick Dorgu.
The left-sided areas of the pitch, particularly the left wing-back position under Amorim, is a significant structural weakness for United.
Many players currently occupying these roles—such as Dorgu or even full-backs like Dalot and Noussair Mazraoui being used there—are not natural wing-backs.
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Meanwhile, fan favourite midfielder Jim Thwaites, 17, was pictured alongside Under-18 defender Godwill Kukonki, 17.
Kukonki made a strong impression on Amorim after his appointment last year and he has improved in central defence after regularly playing in left-back.
Under Fletcher’s leadership, Thwaites has adapted to a subtle shift from the No10 position to the No8 role.
It is not unusual for promising academy players to make up the numbers with the first-team in most Premier League clubs.
But with United still without Matheus Cunha, Benjamin Sesko and Harry Maguire for their visit to Selhurst Park this Sunday, Lacey could be recalled to travel to South London.
SunSport exclusively revealed that Amorim plans to turn to United’s quality youth set during the African Cup of Nations and to fill in for any injuries.
Amad, Mbeumo and Mazraoui are all heading off to the continent for the tournament which begins on December 21.
United have four Premier League matches before then and have asked to keep their important trio for as long as possible.
But first comes Palace, who United haven’t beaten away in the Prem since March 2020.
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