Manchester United is looking to address its midfield composition going forward, and they may be able to get some assistance from their academy.
Erik ten Hag signed Christian Eriksen and Casemiro in the summer of 2022. The club’s midfield needed both players as quick remedies. Another stopgap measure was the 2023 loan signing of Sofyan Amrabat.
All three have the option to depart the club in the summer of 2024. Scott McTominay is a Scotland international, therefore it’s hard to think the club will turn down a good offer for him.
Given this, where does that leave the midfield for Manchester United? Kobbie Mainoo is the only one who can determine the solution.
With additions needed at numerous positions, Manchester United do not have the transfer budget to spend a lot of money at Mainoo, who is 19 years old and needs some support.
The Manchester United player Jacob Devaney was at Carrington Training Ground in Manchester, England, on September 16, 2023.
Getty Images used this photo by Manchester United.
Frenkie de Jong was Erik ten Hag’s target.
Frenkie de Jong, a midfielder for Barcelona, was the one Erik ten Hag disliked when he joined the club.
Manchester United made significant efforts to finalise the transfer with Barcelona, but the player from the Netherlands was adamant about staying.
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After last week’s interview with Sky Sports, Erik ten Hag said, “It would have been De Jong and Casemiro playing and complementing each other,” confirming his intention to play Casemiro with De Jong.
It is possible that Kobbie Mainoo may replace Casemiro in the middle of United’s defence. His natural position is that of a box-to-box midfielder. A replacement for De Jong is still something United is trying to find. One may even be making their way through the academy.
Prospective Manchester United midfielder Jacob Devaney
Keep an eye on Jacob Devaney, who has been sensational for Manchester United’s under-18 team this season, leading them to a league triumph.
Considering his age (16), Devaney stands out as the team’s most valuable player, especially considering he is one of the youngest players on the roster.
In addition to his recent debut in first team training for Erik ten Hag’s squad, he has also made four appearances for the under-21s.
Midfielder Devaney fits Ten Hag’s criteria to a tee. As a deep-lying midfielder, he enjoys stealing the ball from his opponents and advancing it up the pitch. Additionally, he has contributed with four assists thus far this year.
He might be Kobbie Mainoo’s future partner and the “number six” that Manchester United has been missing since Michael Carrick’s retirement.
It would not be shocking if Devaney made his first team debut in 2024/25 after making tremendous strides this season. Keep an eye on him during preseason as well.
Additionally, Manchester United will have to bolster their midfield with new acquisitions. However, it is encouraging to see the academy pipeline producing future stars; Erik ten Hag has shown a willingness to start junior players if he believes they are ready, so hopefully this trend continues.
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