Manchester United: These talents are important in preparation

Manchester United: These talents are important to prepare for

According to Bbc.

Background

Shea Lacey is a promising Manchester United talent who could play an important role in the upcoming 2026-27 season. With the absence of the experienced players, Lacey has the chance to make his mark in training and pre-season games and showcase his skills in Premier League football.

Why this is important

Manchester United's preparation is crucial to the development of young talent like Shea Lacey. In the absence of the World Cup participants, these players will have the opportunity to prove themselves and potentially secure a place in the squad for the upcoming Premier League season. The performances in the preparatory games could have a significant impact on the club's forecast for the season.

Key findings

• Manchester United: These talents need to be used in preparation.
• Manchester United's pre-season training has begun, with several youngsters set to impress in the absence of senior players participating in the World Cup.
• Shea Lacey remains central to Manchester United's plans.

Manchester United's preparation has begun. The players gathered at the Carrington Training Center on Thursday to begin training under the direction of new coach Michael Carrick. However, the squad gathered there is only partly made up of the players expected before the first Premier League game of the 2026-27 season against Hull City on August 22nd. None of the players called up for the World Cup have returned yet. Dutch defender Matthijs de Ligt, who had to undergo back surgery, has not yet returned to training. It is also unclear whether the possible new signings Andrey Santos from Chelsea and Karl Darlow from Leeds will be announced in time for United's pre-season games. While there is still no clarity about a move for another possible signing, Brazilian goalkeeper Ederson from Atalanta Bergamo. So for now there are only nine experienced players along with Carrick in the training center. Since players taking part in the World Cup are given a recovery period of three weeks after exiting the tournament, this means that United's first two pre-season games - against Wrexham in Helsinki on July 18 and Rosenborg Trondheim on July 24 - are likely to feature many young players. The first preparatory game against Rangers from Scotland was played last year a week after the end of the 2024 European Championship, but this year the first preparatory game is scheduled one day after the World Cup final. The previous coach, Erik ten Hag, used 13 players from the academy for the first pre-season game last year. Five other players traveled with us but were not on the pitch. Of the 13 players who were used last year, only Jack Fletcher, who came on as a substitute in the game against Rangers, and Tyler Fletcher, Jack's twin, who remained at the club, are still at United. The other players have either been sold or are currently on loan at other clubs. However, Fletcher is just one of four who received game time with United's first team last season. Here are some talents listed that can be recommended for the upcoming preparation: **Shea Lacey (Storm)** Shea Lacey, 19, made four appearances for United's first team last season, including in the final Premier League game of the season against Brighton. Lacey was named a full member of the first team in training by United Under-21s coach Adam Lawrence towards the end of last season. This means that Lacey will no longer take part in lower age group games as before, but will only be in first team training. There were considerations about loaning Lacey to another club during the summer break, but the club is more likely to believe that Lacey should receive more playing time at United next season. However, one question remains: Where will Lacey be used? Because he is a left-footed player who usually plays on the right side and then moves into the penalty area. If he can show in preparation that he can also be used in other roles, he could secure a place in the squad for the new season. **Jack Fletcher (midfield)** Jack Fletcher was named in the squad for the away game against Tottenham in November 2023 by Ruben Amorim, the first team coach, to ensure that United continued to have a homegrown player from their own youth squad, as the club's unwritten rule has been that since October 1937 there must always be a youth player in the first team squad. Fletcher then made his debut in the away game against Aston Villa in February 2024 and was then in the first team squad for three consecutive games. After that, however, he was only considered in four more first team matches. Fletcher is a playmaker who can dictate the pace of the game. It will be interesting to see whether he dares to do this against experienced players from opposing teams if he is used accordingly in preparation. **Harry Amass (defense)** Harry Amass caught the eye of United's coaches last season because he played very well and he also received playing time in the first team. However, the 19-year-old left-back was not good enough from a physical perspective in the previous coaching era, which is why he was loaned out for the 2024-25 season. He made an excellent impression there until he suffered a serious injury shortly before the end of the season. It remains to be seen whether Amass can assert himself as backup to Luke Shaw at left-back. But it would definitely be good for United if they had another strong left-back in the squad. **Radek Vitek (goalkeeper)** It is very likely that 22-year-old Czech goalkeeper Vitek will not play for United next season, at least not in the first team. It is more expected that he will be loaned out or that another club will sign him, but with a clause in the contract that allows United to buy him back. Vitek played extremely reliably last season and was considered by many to be his club's best player. He should get more game time this season and good performances in United's pre-season games would help him do that. **Tyler Fletcher (midfield)** Jack Fletcher's twin, Tyler, also made a huge leap in performance last season. He was even called up for the Scotland senior national team and was allowed to play a friendly against Bolivia. It remains to be seen how much playing time Tyler Fletcher will receive with United's first team next season. **JJ Gabriel (Storm)** Gabriel is one of United's greatest talents. However, he won't turn 16 until October 2024. He was named the best player in the U18s by both United and the Premier League last season. He is expected to feature in United's first team pre-season. **Jacob Devaney (midfield/defense)** Devaney is considered very mature for his age. Although he is only 19 years old, he is already playing very successfully in United's second team. He was also loaned out to a club in Scotland last season, where he also played very well. Devaney will play for a loan club next season, but it will be interesting to see whether he can perform so well in United's pre-season that United officials decide to keep him in the first team for a season.

What happens next

Shea Lacey and other talent are expected to get plenty of playing time in the first two pre-season games against Wrexham and Rosenborg. These games provide a platform to show off your skills against experienced opponents. However, the return of the World Cup players will significantly change the dynamics of the squad, which could increase competition for starting places.

Frequently asked questions

When does Manchester United's preparation begin?

Manchester United's preparation began on Thursday.

Who will Manchester United play against in the first two pre-season games?

Manchester United play Wrexham in Helsinki on July 18th and Rosenborg Trondheim on July 24th.

When is Manchester United's first Premier League game of the 2026-27 season?

Manchester United's first Premier League game of the 2026-27 season is against Hull City on August 22nd.

Which players are currently training at Manchester United?

There are currently only nine experienced players in the training center under the leadership of new coach Michael Carrick.

Wi How many players from the academy were nominated for the first pre-season game last year?

Last year, the previous coach, Erik ten Hag, nominated 13 players from the academy for the first pre-season game.

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