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With two matches coming up in the space of 48 hours, Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has held his hands up and admitted sweeping changes must be made to protect his team.
Leicester City arrive at Old Trafford on Tuesday evening before rivals Liverpool rock up on Thursday to play the rearranged fixture, which was postponed due to the fan protests at the Glazer family ownership.
Solskjaer has said he has no option but to make changes in order to protect the health and fitness of his stars, and noted that managers competing for a top-four finish may not be pleased with his selections.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has dropped big hints that youth players will be turned to this week
All evidence points to Solskjaer fielding a weakened team against the Foxes on Tuesday before boosting back up to full strength against Liverpool on Thursday.
And so, with that in mind, the Norwegian could be about to hand a number of unpolished gems some Premier League experience in the famous red shirt of United.
With a solid collection of raw talent in the Old Trafford youth ranks, the time could be now for some of United’s fresh hopefuls. Sportsmail took a closer look…
Amad Diallo, 18
Since arriving at Old Trafford from Atalanta in January, Amad has been the hot topic of conversation.
United paid mind-blowing money for the teenager, £37million to be precise, with the club convinced he will become one of the world leading stars of tomorrow.
Amad has spent time on the bench for United since the turn of the year, acclimatising to his new surroundings and learning the ways of English football.
Amad Diallo has been the talk of Manchester after completing his January move from Atalanta
Fans have had to be patient despite being desperate to see the starlet, though Amad has teased his brilliance at several turns.
The youngster scored twice on his U23s debut for United against none other than bitter rivals Liverpool, before being handed a shock substitute appearance against Italian royalty AC Milan in the Europa League and scoring a sublime header at Old Trafford.
Amad was stood down from Monday night’s U23 clash with Derby, for which he would have been a certain starter, meaning plans are being made for an appearance against Brendan Rodgers’ side.
Amad has already been carving a reputation for himself in European football, after scoring on his Serie A debut for Atalanta and breaking several records in the process.
United paid huge money for Amad but he has already shown flashes of brilliance, such as his header against Italian giants AC Milan in the Europa League last-16 first-leg
The fleet-footed teen was introduced in the final stages of Atalanta’s Serie A victory over Udinese in October 2019, when he picked up the ball midway inside the opposition half, drove forward and then smashed in an effort from outside the area.
Amad had played just 21 minutes of senior football before United pressed the trigger and opted to give in to Atalanta’s demands to get their man.
The huge fee, United determined, was worth it before an inevitable bidding war for the star erupted later down the line.
Shola Shoretire, 17
During his press conference on Monday morning Solskjaer said youth stars ‘definitely have the chance’ to feature during this week’s senior matches, when asked specifically about Amad and also Shoretire.
The 17-year-old is regarded as one of the unique players United currently have on their books, and has already made his senior United debut despite his young years.
Wearing the No 74 shirt, Shoretire was introduced against Newcastle in February, and in doing so became the seventh-youngest player to represent United in the club’s history – and second-youngest behind Angel Gomes in the Premier League era.
Shola Shoretire is regarded as one of the most unique and exciting players in United’s set-up
The squad number he wore is also the highest ever seen in a competitive match for United.
Shoretire was regarded as a shoo-in to feature this week, however his inclusion in Monday night’s U23 match may have complicated matters. Whereas Amad was held back from playing in the season-ending clash with Derby, Shoretire was not, and played 90 minutes from the left wing.
Shoretire’s senior debut against Newcastle held significance, as it was the team he played for before joining the Red Devils. He joined United after his parents moved to the city for work.
Former Newcastle academy coach David Ballantyne told Chronicle Live at the time: ‘There’s always one or two you just think “wow, yeah – he’s got a real chance of being a player” and Shola was one of them.
In February Shoretire became second-youngest United debutant in the Premier League era
‘He was like a ready-made athlete. He was phenomenal and just so quick. That stood out – he just had that natural speed. But no one could get him off the ball as well, he had that strength, and he was light, quickness of feet, light on his feet.
‘I was initially frustrated that Newcastle lost out on one of their own, but it was a scenario that couldn’t be helped with his parents being offered jobs down in the Manchester area which they had to take.’
While the recovery time from Monday means Shoretire is unlikely to feature in any form against Leicester, the prodigious talent could be retained in the stretched senior squad for the arrival of Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool on Thursday.
Anthony Elanga, 19
Swedish winger Elanga is creating a buzz around United’s Carrington base, with many insiders tipping him as the next big thing in a red shirt.
The 19-year-old has been learning his trade quietly, while gaining priceless experience travelling home and away with the senior squad and being handed places on the bench.
Elanga was part of the travelling squad for United’s Europa League trips to both Granada and Rome, though remained an unused substitute in both.
Swedish ace Anthony Elanga was held back from the U23s on Monday and is expected to play
In 16 Premier League 2 appearances this season, he has nine goals and three assists. Such was his rapid progress that Solskjaer fast-tracked him into the first team.
Elanga first caught the eye for United during the 2018/19 term as a first-year scholar, scoring four times in 22 appearances for Neil Ryan’s U18 side, and appearing far too good for the age group.
The pick of the bunch of Elanga’s efforts came in the form of a goal-of-the month contender against Newcastle in March, following an elaborate dribble which took out the majority of the opposition team.
On Monday night Elanga was also held back from playing with the U23 squad, suggesting a role against Leicester at Old Trafford is imminent.
Elanga has featured numerous times on the bench for United after dazzling with the U23s
It is understood that Solskjaer had been hoping to hand Elanga his debut at some point in the final games of the current Premier League season, and the opening now appears to have fashioned itself.
The youngster is not expected to start, though is in line for a second-half cameo in which he will be able to present a case to the Norwegian for his future inclusion in the senior ranks.
On 16 March he committed his future by signing a new long-term contract with the club.
Hannibal Mejbri, 18
Mejbri has been lauded by United coaches as one of the most naturally accomplished dribblers to have developed in the youth ranks.
The teenage star brings bags of personality to matches, and is easily identifiable on the pitch due to his large mop of David Luiz-esque curly hair.
United managed to prise Mejbri away from the famed Monaco youth set-up in August 2019, and many glasses were clinked in celebration with the club in the firm belief that they have a star of the future.
Talented teen Hannibal Mejbri could make United’s squad this week but is less likely to feature
Mejbri was acquired as a 16-year-old, yet the full extent of his contract with United mean the club could end up paying Monaco nearly £9m if all clauses are met.
The French-born attacking midfielder has his affairs handled by super-agent Jorge Mendes, and is a regular man-of-the-match candidate in the United U23 ranks.
While Mejbri is expected to be included in the squad against Leicester, his chances of featuring for the seniors took a blow on Monday night after he was named to play against Derby U23s.
Mejbri played, scored, and was sent off in a chaotic 3-1 defeat.
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