Eight academy starlets train with Manchester United first-team ahead of Brentford

Manchester United academy duo Zachary Baumann and Jacob Devaney were both invited into first-team training ahead of the Premier League clash with Brentford this weekend.

Erik ten Hag's side return to action on Saturday night and will be looking to keep the positive momentum going after their captivating comeback win over Liverpool last time out.

The majority of United players who had been away on international duty over the past week were back at Carrington for a team training session on Thursday, though there were also a couple of unfamiliar faces taking part in the drills.

One of those was Baumann, 17, who has been a regular for United at U21s level this campaign despite still only being a first-year at U18 level. He is a central midfielder who has been at the club since his childhood and has made steady progress through the youth ranks so far.

There was also an opportunity for 16-year-old midfielder Devaney, who was taking part in his first session with the senior squad. He has been at United since the age of six and has been a key player for the club at U18 level so far this season.

United U21 manager Travis Binnion plays an active role in suggesting which players should be promoted to senior training when they are in need of extra players, though these promotions are often dictated by the position a youngster plays in.

Baumann and Devaney are both central midfielders, so that would suggest that United could be light in that department when they travel to face Brentford tomorrow night.

While it is unlikely either of the teenage midfielders will be in the first-team squad they are both set to gain valuable experience as the U17s to U21s travel to the South of France this weekend for training sessions and behind-closed-doors games at AS Monaco and OGC Nice.

There were also a host of other academy talents involved in the session such as Ethan Wheatley, Finlay McAllister, Habeeb Ogunneye, Louis Jackson, Harry Amass and Sonny Aljofree. None of those eight players have made their senior debut for the club yet as supporters patiently wait to see who the 250th academy product to represent the first-team will be.