Arsenal
Manchester United will play towards Leeds United on July nineteenth of their first preseason match of the summer time. This match, together with 4 extra video games main as much as the beginning of the Premier League season, will give younger gamers the prospect to impress Ruben Amorim and his teaching workers.
Two matchups between younger stars stand out above the remainder: Chido Obi and Ethan Wheatley, and Harry Amass and Diego Leon. Let’s dive into each place battles and undertaking who will come out on high coming into the opening weekend match at Outdated Trafford.
Chido Obi vs Ethan Wheatley
Chido Obi excited United followers as a lot as every other signing final summer time. His switch was seen as a coup for the membership, and his first season was as marketed. Obi scored 14 occasions in 15 matches within the academy, together with two hat-tricks.
Spectacular performances within the academy earned the 17-year-old a first-team call-up. He made eight appearances and whereas failing to attain, the younger ahead impacted matches greater than his fellow Dane Rasmus Hojlund.
Not too long ago, Obi secured the Participant of the Event award on the Maurice Rovello event whereas representing Denmark on the U20 stage.
After a blistering 2023/2024 U18 Premier League and PL2 season and a stable begin on the similar stage in 2024, Ethan Wheatley struggled on mortgage at Walsall this spring, making simply 4 appearances in 21 alternatives. When he returned from the Saddlers, the 19-year-old scored thrice within the PL2 Playoffs and twice within the U19 European Championships.
Whereas Wheatley’s numbers at youth ranges have been astounding, his first-team showings have been regarding. At 19, he will likely be trying to push out of academy soccer, whether or not at United or elsewhere.
Projected Winner: Chido Obi
Chido Obi has the next ceiling than Ethan Wheatley and is a 12 months and a half youthful. With the entire squad turnover that’s anticipated this summer time, there’ll probably solely be house for certainly one of Obi or Wheatley in Amorim’s squad. The supervisor can’t ignore the flourishing Obi, that means Wheatley and United could also be assessing the ahead’s future on the finish of the preseason.
Harry Amass vs Diego Leon
Harry Amass made his first group debut underneath Amorim final season. The Portuguese supervisor might not ignore his expertise, giving the younger defender his first alternative towards Leicester Metropolis on his 18th birthday in March.
Whereas not showing on the scoresheet as a left wing again, Amass proved he belonged and spent the remainder of the season on the high stage. The 18-year-old was particularly good within the comeback win over Lyon, as he was concerned in a number of passages of play main as much as the long-lasting targets.
United secured Diego Leon for €4 million within the winter switch window. Due to his age, he was not allowed to maneuver to England till after his 18th birthday in April.
Regardless of his youth, Leon made 33 appearances at Cerro Porteno over the previous two seasons. He’s a proficient defender, however can be a risk going ahead, as he scored 4 occasions throughout three competitions in Argentina.
Chatting with Paraguayan media earlier than his arrival in Manchester, Leon said, “Everybody thinks I’ll exit on mortgage, however I don’t have that mindset. I’m going to kill it within the preseason and inside one or two video games, I’ll already be taking part in with them.”
Projected Winner: Harry Amass
Diego Leon’s confidence bodes effectively for his future on the membership, however he’ll want time to regulate to European competitors. Whereas he could not go on mortgage, the proficient left again needs to be given time within the academy to adapt to his new environment.
Amass impressed and gained worthwhile first-team expertise final season, which ought to maintain him forward of Leon for now. Nevertheless, with Dorgu nonetheless the starter, the English defender might want to profit from his restricted alternatives to carry off Leon’s eventual rise.
