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Kobbie Mainoo in action for Man Utd.

How Man Utd’s 12 FM24 wonderkids have developed IRL in 2023-24

Ben Stewart •

The Manchester United youth academy has produced plenty of gems over the years and we’ve checked in on how some of their brightest talents have been developing in 2023-24.

While Erik ten Hag’s side have struggled to find much consistency of late, some of their youngsters have provided a glimmer of hope for the Red Devils.

We’ve gone through United’s 12 wonderkids on Football Manager 2024 and have assessed how they are developing and progressing in real life.

Kobbie Mainoo

Arguably one of the most exciting youngsters in the Premier League right now. Following the midfielder’s excellent performance away at Anfield, the hype is quickly going into overdrive.

Manchester United's Kobbie Mainoo gestures to teammates away to Liverpool.

READ: Kobbie Mainoo needs to be studied – his dazzling ping at Anfield defied physics

Hannibal Mejbri

The tenacious Tunisian midfielder has played a total of 327 minutes across all competitions this season. He’s certainly not been shy to get stuck in either, as he is currently averaging a yellow card every 109 minutes.

While the 20-year-old has only featured sparingly so far, Ten Hag sees something in him and The Athletic have confirmed that United are currently in contract talks with the midfielder.

Harry Amass

Having signed from Watford this summer, Amass has continued his development with United’s U18s squad. The 16-year-old left-back looks like a tidy player and he’s already produced a couple of goal contributions in the youth set-up.

This neat finish against Leeds showcases his attacking potential.

Daniel Gore

Gore was handed his senior debut by Ten Hag earlier this season against Crystal Palace in the EFL Cup. He’s also been part of the first team squad for games in the Premier League and Champions League.

Mixing with the first-team players should aid Gore in his development and we can’t wait to see what the future holds for the 19-year-old.

“I don’t think words can describe that feeling, seeing the fans, it is everything you’ve dreamed of, coming true. It means everything,” Gore told reporters after making his debut.

Isak Hansen-Aaroen

The promising Norwegian youngster was linked with a loan move away from Old Trafford in the summer, although this didn’t materialise in the end.

Hansen-Aareon himself explained his situation in an interview with VG: “There was talk of something different, but I don’t want to say too much about it. There was some stuff, but we didn’t quite agree.

“There is a lot of interest. If we wanted it to be a loan, I know we could go. There were slightly different things that we didn’t quite agree on.”

Finley McAllister

The Salford-born midfielder has enjoyed an eye-catching start to the 2023-24 campaign with United’s U18s. McAllister has predominately played at right-back this season, although he has also been utilised in midfield on a couple of occasions.

In total, the 17-year-old has chipped in with four goal contributions for the U18s this season and he also made an impact at the Under 17s World Cup with England last month.

Jayce Fitzgerald

Fitzgerald has caught the eye in the United youth ranks of late and it will surely only be a matter of time before he’s knocking on the door for the first team. This stunner back in October is the highlight of his season so far.

Amad Diallo

Following his excellent loan spell with Sunderland last season, big things were expected of Diallo this time around. However, thanks to injury, things haven’t quite unfolded that way.

The 21-year-old sustained a knee injury in pre-season and has only recently returned to full training. It remains to be seen whether Ten Hag will get some use out of him, or if he will sanction another loan move in January.

According to our friends at TEAMtalk, several Championship sides will be interested in Diallo if he is made available in January. Watch this space.

Alejandro Garnacho

As Marcus Rashford has struggled to find much form this season, Garnacho has often started on the left-hand side. The 19-year-old is still a raw talent, but the potential is obvious to see.

He’s also surely going to have a Puskas award on the way too after his ridiculous acrobatics against Everton.

Shea Lacey

United fans are eagerly awaiting Lacey being handed his first senior opportunity. The 16-year-old winger is one of the most naturally gifted players in the youth academy right now and quite rightfully has a lot of hype behind him.

Lacey has managed to produce six goal contributions in eight matches for the United U18s this season and it will surely only be a matter of time before Ten Hag gives him the call-up.

Rasmus Hojlund

It’s been a funny old season for Hojlund so far. United’s most expensive summer signing has looked brilliant in the Champions League, but he is yet to open his account in the league.

Despite his lack of Premier League goals so far, Hojlund has shown glimpses of quality and Ten Hag thinks there’s still more to come from the 20-year-old.

“I think as a team we can be better in possession so we can create more and better chances and that will also give our offensive players more opportunities to score goals,” Ten Hag told MUTV.

“But as I said, social-wise, I think he has integrated very good in the team and in the club. That is the character of Rasmus. He wants to improve every day so it is lovely to work with him, with such characters.”

Jack Fletcher

The son of former United midfielder Darren Fletcher, Jack will be looking to make an impression under Ten Hag. The 16-year-old has trained alongside the first team this season, although he is still waiting to make his senior debut.

READ NEXT: The Premier League table since Man Utd appointed Erik ten Hag

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