Charlie Savage and Zidane Iqbal won places on Manchester United 's pre-season tour of the Far East and Australia after impressing new boss Erik ten Hag.
As United set off for Thailand with a 28-man squad, Savage and Iqbal were the first youngsters to catch the Dutchman's eye in the first week of training under new management.
Savage and Iqbal made their debuts as late substitutes against Young Boys in the Champions League group stage last season. And their career paths remain on parallel lines with Savage, 19, surpassing his father Robbie's footnote in the club's record books.
Robbie Savage, who captained four clubs in the Premier League, was released from United's acclaimed Class of '92 without kicking a ball for the first team. But his son, a Welsh international at Under-19 level, has impressed both Erik the Red and his unlamented predecessor Ralf Rangnick.
Ten Hag told the players they would be picked on merit, not reputation - and Savage and fellow midfielder Iqbal are the first to gain his confidence. "He’s had added pressure on him to succeed," Robbie Savage wrote of his son back in December.
"He’s had to work five to 10 per cent harder because he’s my son. He’s had lots of critics, I’ve heard it like ‘he’s only here because of his dad’. He’s had no special treatment, he’s been treated like every other youngster."
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Savage and Iraqi international Iqbal aren't the only young talents included in Erik ten Hag's squad for their tour. Alejandro Garnacho is also involved after making his debut last season, while Amad has made the trip after returning from a loan spell at Rangers.
However, Cristiano Ronaldo has not travelled due to personal reasons as his future at the club remains the subject of debate. Phil Jones and Brandon Williams are the other first team players not involved as Ten Hag's side prepare for games in Thailand and Australia.
United's pre-season campaign will begin with a match against Liverpool in Bangkok before the squad travels to Australia for meetings with Melbourne Victory, Crystal Palace and Aston Villa. A handful of further friendlies will follow before their Premier League season gets underway against Brighton in early August.
