One of the priorities for Manchester United is to solve the midfield make-up for the future, and help could be coming from the academy.
Christian Eriksen and Casemiro were both signed by Erik ten Hag in summer 2022. Both represented short-term fixes for the club’s midfield. Sofyan Amrabat, signed on loan in 2023, was a further sticking plaster.
Heading into summer 2024, all three could leave the club. And it’s hard to imagine the club would stand in the way of Scott McTominay either, if a decent offer came in for the Scotland international.
So where exactly does that leave Manchester United’s midfield? The answer, is totally dependent on Kobbie Mainoo.
Mainoo, 19, needs some help, and Manchester United don’t have the transfer funds to throw a lot of money at the problem, not with signings required at multiple other positions too.
Erik ten Hag wanted Frenkie de Jong
The one signing Erik ten Hag badly when he came to the club was Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong.
Manchester United tried hard to close the deal and strike a deal with Barcelona – but the Netherlands international did not want to leave.
Speaking last week in an interview with Sky Sports, Erik ten Hag confirmed he intended to play Casemiro alongside De Jong, commenting: “It would have been De Jong and Casemiro playing and complementing each other.”
Kobbie Mainoo could turn out to be Casemiro’s replacement in United’s midfield. He looks best as a box to box midfielder. United are still looking for a De Jong alternative. And one could be coming through the academy.
Jacob Devaney could be Manchester United’s next midfield star
The name to watch is Jacob Devaney, who has been absolutely outstanding this season for Manchester United’s league title winning under-18 side.
Devaney, 16, played more matches that any player this season for the side, notable particularly as he is one of the youngest in the squad.
He has also stepped up to make four appearances for the under-21s, and recently featured in first team training for Erik ten Hag’s side.
Devaney is just the type of midfielder Ten Hag needs. He is a deep-lying midfielder who likes to collect the ball from his defenders and progress the ball up the pitch. He has chipped in with four assists this season too.
He is the type of ‘number six’ Manchester United have lacked since Michael Carrick retired, and a potential future partner for Kobbie Mainoo.
Devaney has made great progress this season, and it would not be a surprise to see him make his debut for the first team in 2024/25. Watch out for him in pre-season too.
Manchester United will need to make midfield signings too, but having the academy pipeline continuing to develop future stars is a great help, and if he stays in charge, Erik ten Hag has shown he is willing to play youth if he is convinced they are ready.