The success of academy products in the first squad is a common occurrence at Manchester United.
Despite the Red Devils’ dismal season the previous year, youthful players Tyler Fredricson, Harry Amass, Chido Obi, and Toby Collyer all made their first team debuts.
Kobbie Mainoo made his debut the year prior, while Ethan Wheatley was also given a fleeting opportunity to make an impression.
As a result, The Peoples Person asked club supporters which player they believed had the best chance of making their first team debut this season.
Runaway leader
According to the poll’s results, readers believe that one academy player is far superior to the others.
At some point this season, 48% of respondents think Sekou Kone will be given the opportunity to make an impression in the starting lineup.
During a thrilling youth recruitment campaign in the summer of 2024, United acquired the Malian. He made an impression on the Asia tour at the close of the season, and he hopes to play more frequently for the youth teams this year.
Fortunately, Kone should be able to play soon after suffering a major head injury in August.
According to reports, the club decided not to pursue a midfield player this summer in part because of Kone’s rise.
Jack Fletcher
With 18% of the voting, Jack, the son of Darren Fletcher, came in a far-off second place as the second most likely academy player to make his debut this season.
The 18-year-old has been in and around the first squad during preseason and has made a remarkable ascent through the Man United levels.
Fascinatingly, Fletcher is a midfielder like Kone, which may indicate that supporters believe the first team roster lacks depth and that there is a chance for an academy product to earn a spot in the starting lineup or on the bench.
Bendito Mantato
17% of fans felt that Bendito Mantato was the next in line to make his debut for the first team.
The 17-year-old Mancunian was impressive during United’s run to the Youth Cup semi-final last year and is an exciting wing back.
As Ruben Amorim makes use of attacking full backs, it is perhaps logical that he may look to this area of the academy to blood some youth.
The rest
8% of people polled felt that Ethan Williams would be the next player to be given the chance to shine.
The youngster moved to Falkirk on loan after the poll was created, so is unlikely to get the chance this season to make his mark in the United first team.
Nonetheless, he scored during the pre-season tour of the United States and impressed during his loan at Cheltenham Town last season, so he is likely to be one to watch over the next year or two.
Only 3% felt Gibraltar international James Scanlon would make his debut and only 2% backed Jaydan Kamason.
4% of pollsters believe that another youngster will be given the chance to show Amorim what he can do in the first team this season with perhaps the likes of Shea Lacey or Gabriele Biancheri being given their moment.
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