Gabriel, Lacey and the Fletcher twins: five Man United youngsters set to shine in pre-season

Michael Carrick will lean heavily on Manchester United’s academy talent during pre-season this summer, with a clutch of youngsters set to feature prominently across friendlies against Wrexham, Rosenborg, Atletico Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain, Leeds and AC Milan.

The reduced availability of senior internationals — still involved or recently eliminated at the World Cup — means more first-team minutes will be available to players who would not ordinarily expect them so early in their development.

Shea Lacey is perhaps the most advanced of the group. The defender trained with the first team daily throughout the second half of last season and made four senior appearances, including a debut against Aston Villa in December and two further outings during Darren Fletcher’s caretaker spell. Carrick was visibly encouraging towards Lacey at the end of the campaign, and staff believe he can contribute to the senior squad in the season ahead.

Tyler Fletcher spent much of his academy career in the shadow of his twin brother but earned recognition this term, winning the Denzil Haroun Reserve Team Player of the Year award. He made his debut against Tottenham in February and appeared in nine further Premier League matchday squads before earning another run-out on the final day. A late call-up to Scotland’s World Cup squad will have done his confidence no harm.

Jack Fletcher, Tyler’s twin, has been on United’s radar since arriving from Manchester City’s academy three years ago. Ruben Amorim handed him three consecutive senior appearances against Aston Villa, Newcastle and Wolves in December, though he was last involved in a squad for the trip to Sunderland. The attacking midfielder will be keen to make a fresh impression on Carrick, who knows the Fletcher family well.

JJ Gabriel is the standout name from the U18 ranks. The forward scored 23 goals in 23 league appearances last season and led United to the FA Youth Cup final, earning the U18 Player of the Season award in the process. He also picked up the Jimmy Murphy Young Player of the Year award — recognition that his performances have caught the attention of those above him in the club’s structure.

With Carrick publicly committed to giving youth a genuine look this summer, pre-season represents a meaningful audition for all five players rather than a token gesture. How they perform against senior opposition over the coming weeks could shape their trajectories heading into the new campaign.