Manchester United interim manager Ralf Rangnick has enlisted the help of the club’s Under-23s for tonight’s match against Chelsea, due to the absence of many key first-team players.
During a press conference on Wednesday afternoon, the German coach claimed it’s “possible” that some younger players will be given chances during the injury crisis.
Rangnick has picked four current Academy players as substitutes in his matchday squad, which you can read about below.
Alvaro Fernandez
Fernandez, a 19-year-old attacking full-back signed from Real Madrid in 2020, has recently started training with the first team and might provide backup for Alex Telles if Luke Shaw is unavailable.
This is his first appearance in a senior matchday squad, despite being a regular in the club’s Under-23 team this season.
Alejandro Garnacho
Garnacho grew up in Madrid, where he played for Atletico Madrid’s youth team for numerous years. The 17-year-old, who is eligible to represent Argentina through his mother, received his first call-up for La Albiceleste recently, and he spent time practicing with a senior group that includes Lionel Messi. An acrobatic finish against Scunthorpe United, a superb solo goal against Everton, and more strikes against Leicester City (2) and Wolves were among his contributions to the Under-18s’ run to the FA Youth Cup final. In the first-team games against Norwich, Liverpool, and Arsenal, he was an unused substitute.
Hannibal
The Tunisian midfielder joined United from AS Monaco in 2019 and made his first-team debut against Wolves in May 2021 as a substitute. After an outstanding season with the Under-23s, he was named Denzil Haroun Reserve Player of the Year in the same month. During the previous winter, the 19-year-old represented his country at both the FIFA Arab Cup and the Africa Cup of Nations, giving him a total of 12 appearances for his country. Hannibal earned his second senior appearance for United this month, coming in in the 84th minute against Liverpool at Anfield.
Shola Shoretire
Shoretire made his first-team debut against Newcastle United in February 2021, when he was 17 years old. With that appearance, he became the club’s second-youngest Premier League player, and when he faced Real Sociedad in the UEFA Europa League, he beat Norman Whiteside’s European record. He was selected Jimmy Murphy Young Player of the Year last season. The England Under-18 international has spent this season with United’s Under-23s, making a key substitute appearance in the UEFA Champions League tie against BSC Young Boys in December.
