Michael Carrick has called up four youngsters to Man Utd’s training camp, but their chances of an eventual first-team debut are not the same.
When Man Utd’s travelling squad for the Ireland camp was announced, there were plenty of storylines to take from it.
From the omission of Diogo Dalot and Tom Heaton due to illness, to the inclusion of Patrick Dorgu in a huge boost, there were notable picks.
Chief among them was the inclusion of four youngsters – Fred Heath, Yuel Helafu, Jim Thwaites, and Victor Musa. Here’s how their first-team prospects shape up.
Fred Heath – 1/10
Fred Heath is probably with the squad to pad up the goalkeeping ranks because he’ll turn 19 in September, but isn’t a regular for the academy sides.
He wouldn’t have made it had Tom Heaton been fit, and his chances of making an eventual first-team debut for United are slim to none at this point.
Nonetheless, a good experience for him; he should make full use of it.
Yuel Helafu – 7/10
Yuel Helafu benefitted from Dalot missing out on the camp, but it can’t be said that his inclusion isn’t deserved.
Helafu has trained with the first team regularly and impressed Carrick, plus his tactical intelligence and versatility are reminiscent of Noussair Mazraoui.
His rapid rise has been rewarded with a training camp berth, and he will hope to catch Carrick’s eye again in Ireland.
Jim Thwaites – 9/10
Of all the four youngsters to travel with the squad to Ireland, Thwaites is the no-brainer pick as someone who should eventually debut for United.
Thwaites has been a star for the U18s, and his set-piece mastery has already given birth to many viral moments.
He has slowly added to his game by becoming combative and increasing his range of passing, and this camp, plus the pre-season next campaign, could set him up for a debut next season.
At this point, Man Utd fans will be surprised if he DOESN’T debut eventually.
Victor Musa – 3/10
Musa has been called up because Chido Obi is needed by the U21s to face Real Madrid, but he gets a higher rating than Heath simply because he’s been prolific for the academy.
Having said that, the way he struggled with the step up to the U21s, combined with United’s burgeoning attacking ranks, means that his chances of a first-team breakout are remote.
Funnier things have happened because he has at least scored goals for the U18s, but at this moment, that is the only thing keeping him from matching Heath’s 1/10 rating.
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