Manchester United pulled off one of the great European comebacks last night in their dramatic, chaotic 5-4 victory over Olympique Lyonnais in the Europa League.
United will now face Athletic Club in the semi-final stages next month as they aim to make it to the final.
The Red Devils currently sit 14th in the Premier League with little to play for and manager Ruben Amorim admitted in his post-match press conference that the league would be used to experiment with “kids”.
With injuries already heavily affecting United’s season, they will be very careful not to risk players for the crucial semi-finals and golden pathway to the Champions League next season.
Here are five academy stars who could get a chance to impress.
Chido Obi
The young Dane has already been given some minutes earlier in the season and will be even more vital now that Joshua Zirkzee has been ruled out for the rest of the campaign.
Obi has played four senior games for the club from the bench and particularly impressed in the FA Cup loss to Fulham.
He has been in fine form for the academy, scoring 14 goals in 15 matches and with Rasmus Hojlund being the club’s only recognised senior striker, he will surely get a chance in some remaining league matches.
His teammate Leny Yoro has already waxed lyrical over him, claiming he has the potential to go on to become one of the best strikers around.
Gabriele Biancheri
With United’s paucity of options in attack, Biancheri could also find himself given a role earlier than expected.
The 18 year old has scored 20 goals in 30 matches for the academy this season and looks to be a real goalscorer.
Biancheri was training with the senior team before the clash against Olympique Lyonnais but he failed to get a spot on the bench.
He will certainly be hoping to make an appearance before the end of the season.
Harry Amass
Amass has already broken through and could provide valuable back up to Patrick Chinazaekpere Dorgu in the remaining weeks of the season.
The wingback position is so important for Amorim and he can ill afford to have more injuries to senior players before the crucial trip to Bilbao.
Amass made his senior debut last month against Leicester City and played 20 minutes of last night’s match.
He has made three senior appearances in total and started against Newcastle United last weekend for the first time.
The former Watford youth product will he hoping he can build up more minutes to seal a regular squad berth next season.
Jack Moorhouse
The 19 year old midfielder was named on the bench last night and he has been in and around the first team training squad for a few weeks now.
Moorhouse has been in fine form for the academy, scoring three goals and providing one assist in 11 matches this season.
United will be keen to wrap up players like Casemiro and Manuel Ugarte in cotton wool, so perhaps he can get a role in the middle of the park before the season is out.
He is known for his ability to carry the ball and drive through the midfield, so this could be an interesting skillset to bring to the first team.
Jaydan Dejon Kamason
Diogo Dalot has played a huge amount of football this season and Amorim will be desperate to keep him fit for the remaining Europa League fixtures.
United have two very talented wingbacks in the academy with Bendito Mantato and Kamason.
Nonetheless, Kamason was named on the bench yesterday, suggesting he is perhaps closer to the first team in Amorim’s eyes.
He hit the headlines with a goal against Arsenal in the FA Youth Cup and staff at the club are said to be very excited by his potential.
Featured image James Fearn via Getty Images
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Alex Browne
Alex is a huge Manchester United fan, inspired by greats of his homeland such as George Best, Harry Gregg and Norman Whiteside. Proud owner of such niche shirts such as Kleberson, Eric Djemba-Djemba and Gary Neville. Grew up pretending to be Ruud van Nistelrooy and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in the back garden, with little success.
