With a host of Manchester United’s established stars on extended breaks following their exploits at Euro 2024 and the Copa America, the youngsters within Erik ten Hag’s squad have a chance to prove their worth on the club’s pre-season tour of the US.
Here, Mirror Football looks at five of United’s young rising stars who can make a name for themselves Stateside against Arsenal, Real Betis and Liverpool, and give Ten Hag much to ponder in terms of his personnel ahead of the new season.
AMAD DIALLO
Amad achieved cult hero status with United fans for his dramatic 120th minute winner – as penalties loomed – that knocked arch rivals Liverpool out of the FA Cup in an epic 4-3 victory at Old Trafford back in March. He ended last season as one of United’s in-form players and scored the opener in United’s 2-0 friendly win over Rangers at the weekend.
Amad Diallo is primed for a big season (
@ManUtd)
On the US tour, he has the chance to stake his claim to start the new season, with Alejandro Garnacho enjoying an extended break after helping Argentina to Copa America success and the futures of Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho – the latter in particular – uncertain. After loan spells at Sunderland and Rangers, Amad has matured and is highly regarded by Erik ten Hag, who has big expectations for the 22-year-old in what is shaping up to be a huge season for the Ivory Coast international.
TOBY COLLYER
Another player of whom Ten Hag is a huge admirer, Collyer signed a new long-term contract earlier this month, keeping him at United until 2027, with the option for another year. The 20-year-old joined United from Brighton in 2022 and was a regular in the Under-18s and Under-21s.
There are high hopes for Collyer (
Image:
Getty Images)
A throwback to a different era, in playing with his socks rolled down, he made the United bench for seven Premier League games last season, including the final four fixtures. He featured on United’s pre-season tour last season, in a friendly against Wrexham in San Diego, but has yet to make his first-team debut. But with Kobbie Mainoo enjoying an extended holiday after his heroics at Euro 2024 and doubts over the futures of Casemiro and Christian Eriksen, Collyer is another for whom the US tour represents a huge chance to show he is ready to step to the first-team.
ETHAN WHEATLEY
Wheatley (right) with fellow young star Rhys Bennett (
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@ManUtd)
Wheatley was afforded the distinction of becoming the 250th academy graduate to make his United debut when he came on as a substitute in a 4-2 win over Sheffield United in April. Hailing from Stockport, the 18-year-old striker has been at United since he was a boy and signed his first contract with the club at 16 in 2022.
A prolific scorer – Wheatley plundered 22 goals last season for United’s Under-18s and Under-21 – one of his biggest strengths is his ability to score with both feet, as well as possessing a strong aerial threat, standing at 6ft 1in. His intelligent movement, ability to pick up dangerous positions and predatory instincts in the box have marked him out as an exciting prospect for the future and seen him draw comparisons with former United striker Danny Welbeck, who also made his way through the academy to the first-team.
HARRY AMASS
Harry Amass has turned heads at youth level (
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Manchester United via Getty Imag)DON’T MISS
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Included as a substitute for United’s 2-2 draw with Liverpool at Old Trafford in the Premier League back in April, left-back Amass has yet to make his first-team debut, but has had 45-minute outings in both pre-season fixtures and will be looking to maintain that run against Arsenal in SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles at the weekend. United signed Amass from Watford last summer, beating Chelsea to land the England Under-17 international.
Such was Amass’s prodigious talent, he was included in Watford’s matchday squad for an FA Cup tie at Reading at the age of just 15, and has enjoyed a meteoric rise since joining United, with Ten Hag promoting him to train with the first-team squad back in February, before his 17th birthday. With Luke Shaw not on the tour after his Euro 2024 exploits with England and Tyrell Malacia still out injured, there is a void at left-back on the tour which Amass or Sam Murray, another rising young star, can fill.
JACK FLETCHER
Jack Fletcher is the son of United great Darren (
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The son of former United midfielder Darren Fletcher, midfielder Jack – whose twin Tyler is also at the club – is deserving of his place in the tour squad, irrespective of his father’s standing at the club. United boss Ten Hag is said to have been hugely impressed by the 17-year-old, who joined from local rivals Manchester City last year, along with his brother, in a £1.3million deal.
Fletcher has represented United’s Under-18s and Under-19s, his performances earning him a call-up from Ten Hag to train with the first-team squad. Having played in both of United’s pre-season games against Rosenborg and Rangers, central midfielder Fletcher will be given the chance to further impress in the States.
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