Eight Manchester United academy graduates departed the club in the summer transfer window, some temporarily and others permanently.
Permanent deadline day exits were granted for the likes of James Garner (to Everton) and Tahith Chong (Birmingham), while Will Fish joined Hibernian on loan. Earlier in the window, Dean Henderson followed free agent Jesse Lingard to Nottingham Forest, albeit only for the season.
Paul Pogba, once of the United academy, made a second exit to Juventus in perhaps the headline departure of the summer, while Amad , Hannibal Mejbri and Alvaro Fernandez all exited to Championship clubs Sunderland, Birmingham and Preston, respectively, on loan. Ethan Laird went to QPR for the season, too.
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But a number of exciting prospects did not secure a move away and will stay within the youth set-up, with some set to move within first team hallways at some point in the season. United have a packed schedule between now and the World Cup break, and a number of youngsters could be called upon for games, especially in the Europa League group stages and early Carabao Cup rounds.
Alejandro Garnacho
With United short on first team centre-forwards, fans can expect Garnacho to be invited into the senior squad at some stage again this season. While he is firmly behind Anthony Martial, Marcus Rashford and Cristiano Ronaldo in the pecking order, he showed during last season’s academy campaign and this pre-season that he can step up to the mark when required.
Zidane Iqbal
After having a promising pre-season, Iqbal seems a likely candidate to feature for the first team at some point this season. It’s been decided that his best path for development is to stay at United, where he will hope to build on his one minute of competitive senior action.
Charlie Savage
Just like Iqbal, 19-year-old Savage enjoyed a fruitful pre-season tour. There were rumblings about whether he would secure a loan move elsewhere, but he will hope by staying he can edge his way into more first team action at some stage.
Shola Shoretire
Big hopes are being placed on Shoretire after his nine-goal haul from the wing for the academy last season. The nimble 18-year-old — who United had been keen to send out on loan — has played five times for the senior side and will be hungry for more appearances.
Teden Mengi
After his season on loan at Birmingham was curtailed by injury, centre-back Mengi is close to a return to fitness. He could earn a first team call-up again if there is a defensive injury crisis involving back-ups Victor Lindelof and Axel Tuanzebe.
Isak Hansen-Aaroen
The Norwegian 18-year-old featured for United in the 1-1 pre-season draw with Rayo Vallecano after progressing well in the academy. The attack-minded playmaker could be used in the Europa League trips to Cyprus and Moldova.
Charlie McNeill
McNeill is yet to feature for the United first team but his 42-goal tally over the past two seasons in the academy means he surely isn’t too far away. The 18-year-old still has some development to do but he is just two first team striker injuries away from a call-up.
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