- Man Utd face Brighton on Sunday (May 24th)
- Michael Carrick should turn to youth for the game
- One youngster has already debuted
Manchester United face Brighton & Hove Albion on Sunday and Michael Carrick must give a few youngsters a chance to impress. The Red Devils’ season objective has already been accomplished.
A return to the UEFA Champions League next season has been sealed with a third-place finish. Carrick is set to be confirmed as permanent head coach, and he knows just how important the academy is.
United face a Brighton side chasing Europe and thus can expect a tough encounter at the Amex Stadium. While the manager might be reluctant to start youth prospects, he should turn to them off the bench.
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Jim Thwaites
If any United youngster should be handed a start against Brighton it’s Jim Thwaites. The 18-year-old has been superb for the U18’s and U21’s this season.
Thwaites even earned a spot on the substitutes bench in a 1-0 win over Chelsea last month. The English midfielder works well in tight spaces and is calm and composed on the ball.
Carrick will surely like the defensive midfielder’s profile, and he could even start if Casemiro played his last game for the club at Old Trafford. The manager clearly doesn’t fancy Manuel Ugarte, whose days at the club look numbered.
Godwill Kukonki
Still awaiting his senior debut is Godwill Kukonki, who has made the substitutes’ bench twice this season. The highly-rated centre-back, who scored in United’s 2-1 defeat to Manchester City in the FA Youth Cup final, has continued to catch the eye.
The Reds already have Leny Yoro, 20, and Ayden Heaven, 19, earmarked as the future in central defence. But Kukonki could give them competition if afforded a chance, much like Heaven was last month.
The 18-year-old is physically dominant and a left-footed defender who could slot in alongside Harry Maguire against Brighton. Carrick probably would start Heaven if not Lisandro Martinez but Kukonki deserves a place on the bench.
Shea Lacey
United fans have already seen Shea Lacey play first-team football and he’s definitely turned heads. The English winger put in an eye-catching performance in a cameo appearance in a 2-2 draw against Burnley in January.
The 19-year-old could even be considered for a start against Brighton, given Bryan Mbeumo and Amad Diallo’s recent performances. He’s a real gem whose pace and lethal left foot can cause all sorts of problems.
Giving Lacey a full debut on United’s final day of the season would be a statement from Carrick. Fans will love to see him put his faith in youth as his permanent managerial reign begins.
