Manchester United midfielder Josh Harrop wants to emulate some of his fellow Under-21 team-mates by breaking into the first-team picture.
The likes of Axel Tuanzebe, Cameron Borthwick-Jackson, Marcus Rashford and Sean Goss have all been involved with the first-team recently, either on the bench or coming on as a substitute, in the case of Borthwick-Jackson.
Harrop, who has trained with the senior squad recently and after recovering from a hernia problem, is hoping to get more chances to impress Louis van Gaal as he seeks to regain his best form on Under-21 duty.
In an interview with the official Manchester United website, the 19-year old said:
I feel like I’m getting to the stage now where I’m getting older and progressing. I just need to keep working hard, day in and day out, in training and do my best. We’ll see what happens but, hopefully, I’ll get my chance in the first team.
A few of the lads have been involved in it this season and that’s my aim. That’s what I’m here for. I want to train hard and get a chance. Cameron [Borthwick-Jackson] came on for 20 minutes recently and that’s the aim for any young lad at United.
I’ve been training before a few of the Champions League games and been in and out when we’ve needed players coming over. It’s great getting asked and good experience to be with the first team. It’s nice to get involved and for the manager to see you. A few of the first-team players I speak to and get along with always help you settle in.
Harrop, who is an England under-20 international, also looked forward to the Under-21s clash against Liverpool on Monday, as they look to bounce back from a 2-0 defeat against Norwich on Monday:
What we want to do is remain Under-21 champions. We never go into games thinking it’s just the Under-21s, we go into them to win. There’s a great atmosphere among the lads and we want to win every game we play.
It’s always a good game against Liverpool. They’re always feisty and a few fans will come down to watch. I’ve played Liverpool in loads of matches as I’ve been here since I was nine – we’ve had some battles and a few of the players are still there who I played against when I was young.
As a United fan and a United player, it’s always big to play against Liverpool with the rivalry between both teams being quite fierce. It’s built into you at a young age and everyone will be up for it.
Being a local lad, I think it helps you. I’m not saying you have more desire than anybody else, but there is a special desire inside you that makes you try as hard as you can to play for the team you support. You do the best you can for that team to make them a better side and I want to try to get into the first team to show that in the future.
I’m working hard and am keeping my body strong in the gym to prevent any other injuries. I’m getting back to full fitness and want to train with the first team a few times again, impressing the manager, and maybe getting a chance.
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