Ones to watch: Four young players who could feature for Manchester United this season

With the transfer window now closed, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will have to make do with the players he currently has at his disposal.

Not that Manchester United are stuck for options - far from it, in fact - but with the Red Devils’ proud history of progressing youth-team players into the senior side, there’s always a possibility of several underage talents featuring in the team over the course of the season.

Solskjaer’s current roster is testament to this with 15 of the 38 players listed as ‘first team’ on the club’s official website coming through their fabled academy system.

So we’ve picked out four to watch who could make the step up this term.

Teden Mengi

The Mancunian has spent significant time around the senior set-up yet has only played one first-team game to date, when he was introduced for the final few minutes of United’s Europa League victory over LASK.

However, the athletic centre-back has been involved in the matchday squad on several occasions and is viewed as the club’s sixth-choice centre-back this season, having spent a few months on loan at Derby County last term.

Mengi is a calming presence on the pitch, and isn’t shy of administering a physical tackle when needed. But like most modern centre-backs the youngster is comfortable on the ball and will always look to play out from the back.

Mengi has also been capped at various youth age groups by England and can operate at full-back if required.

Charlie Savage

Son of former United youth product Robbie Savage, Charlie’s playing style very much differs from his dad’s all-action, industrious nature. The 18-year-old likes to spray passes from a holding midfield role and rarely loses possession.

Savage has pushed up to the club’s Under-23s this season and signed his first professional contract earlier this year.

The midfielder has opted to play for Wales at youth level rather than England and with United’s lack of options in the centre of the park, it’s not impossible Savage is given a chance before the end of the campaign.

Hannibal

The electric youngster has all the qualities needed to succeed in an attacking midfield role, mainly an ability to create and score goals, but Hannibal is also a skilful and technical player.

Last season was his first at United and by March he signed an extended contract with the club. He marked his inaugural year by collecting the Reserve Player of the Year award and made his first-team debut in the final match of the Premier League campaign.

Hannibal is highly thought of in United’s youth ranks, but with Bruno Fernandes and Paul Pogba in the senior squad, he may find chances hard to come by in Solskjaer’s side and could be limited to cup competitions for now.

Anthony Elanga

The precocious attacker was a regular feature of United’s pre-season games and netted a few goals in the process.

Elanga also found the back of the net on the final day of the 2020/21 Premier League season when he bagged a header against Wolverhampton Wanderers, just 12 days after starting against Leicester City.

The Swedish youngster is more comfortable operating out wide, where he can use his blistering pace, but also can play centrally and use his technique and movement to find the back of the net.

Of all four players, Elanga looks most likely to play in Solskjaer’s side this term, but will have to wait for the likes of Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Jesse Lingard to be unavailable.