Manchester United breakout stars often make up the first team in the years to come. Not all make it, but those who do tend to make a big splash. For every Kobbie Mainoo, there’s an Omari Forson, who appeared to be a great prospect but never quite made it.
Will we ever be treated to another Class of ’92? It’s highly unlikely, however, there’s a chance that more than one player could break into the first team this season.
We take a look at three potential Manchester United breakout players who could have a huge next season under the new head coach, Michael Carrick.
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The Next Three: Manchester United’s Breakout Stars
Shea Lacey
Although Shea Lacey has already made his first team debut, next season could be his breakout year. He’s clearly a talent, and if you want a deep dive on his career thus far and his playing style, read our Scout Report on him.
Lacey made three appearances for the first team last season, including half an hour on the final day when he came on as a substitute for Patrick Dorgu. He offers something different from United’s current wide players and fits the ‘Phil Foden’ style of being of smaller stature but extremely skilful.
The current crop of Manchester United wingers don’t offer what Lacey does. The closest is arguably Amad Diallo; however, after a poor season, there’s a chance that Carrick could roll the dice and try out the younger prospect.
A loan move could help Lacey progress in a huge way, either to a Championship team or a newly promoted team. Romain Esse will likely return to Crystal Palace after his loan move at Coventry, and this could be an avenue through which we see another Manchester United breakout in the Premier League, albeit in a sky blue shirt.
Jim Thwaits
With Casemiro leaving the club, Manuel Ugarte potentially on the way out and Kobbie Mainoo having already broken through in United’s midfield, there could be space for 18-year-old Jim Thwaits to become the next Manchester United breakout star.
The midfielder has already made appearances for the under-16s, under-18s and under-21s as well as featuring in first team training on several occasions. He’s certainly got a frame that he needs to grow into, being fairly short and slender; however, Mainoo is a prime example of a player who makes his build work for him in the modern game. Thwaits is quick, uses his body well and has an excellent range of passing at such a young age.
For the youth teams this season, Thwaits has shone as a player who can control the pace of the game, mix up the tempo of different passages of play and ultimately, make a huge difference. He’s shown great anticipation as to potential threats, and there’s no doubt this will stand him in good stead in the men’s game.
Like Lacey, Thwaits could benefit from a loan move if he isn’t going to break into the first team; however, his path to the first team doesn’t have too many obstacles in front of it.
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Harry Amass
This one is slightly different as left back, Harry Amass, has already experienced plenty of first-team football. Aged just 19, the English left back has featured five times for United’s first team. Last season, he had two loan spells in the Championship, firstly with Sheffield Wednesday. On this occasion, he made 21 appearances, scoring a single goal. His second loan move saw him take a step up in competition and move to Norwich. Unfortunately for Amass, he would suffer a season-ending injury after just featuring once, bringing his loan move to a premature end.
Why Amass is likely to break into the Manchester United first team is due to the opportunity he’s been given. There’s no doubt that Luke Shaw is the preferred left back; however, having played a record number of games in the Premier League last season, there’s a chance that he suffers injuries next season – a trend that has followed him his entire career. Patrick Dorgu has been utilised higher up the pitch in either a left wing back or left wing position and although Diogo Dalot and Noussair Mazraoui can play left back, Amass is the specialist in this position.
With Englishman, Michael Carrick at the helm, there’s a chance that he could give the chance to a young English left back to have a run in the Manchester United first team.
Featured Image Credit:
IMAGO / Propaganda
