Next season Manchester United will unwelcomely return to the UEFA Europa League after the final day of the Premier League season which saw West Ham drop to seventh place after defeat to Brighton.
It was a year to forget the Red Devils, as Eric Ten Hag had a huge job on his hands if he was going to restore United to their former glory.
However, while the Europa League may be seen as a waste of time, the competition offers an opportunity for young players to earn valuable European minutes that were not available in the Champions League.
United have an exciting generation to come, and beyond winning the FA Youth Cup earlier this month, there are five players from the academy who could star in the Europa League if they were given the opportunity to impress by Tin Hag.
Alvaro Fernandez
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The newest winner of Denzel Harron’s Reserve Player of the Year award, Alvaro Fernandes has been a star man for Manchester United’s Under-23s this season, and the Europa League could provide an ideal platform for the full-back to continue his development.
A former product of Real Madrid’s academy, Fernandes at United is set to face big things, and given the club’s struggle with the left-back position over the past 12 months, the Spain international could see a lot of football next season under Ten Hag.
Zidane Iqbal
Zidane Iqbal, the first British national of South Asian descent to play for Manchester United and the first British South Asian to play in the Champions League, is literally a generational talent for many across the UK and abroad.
A full international with Iraq, the 19-year-old midfielder is expected to make the jump to the first team next season, and the Europa League turnout could make the competition in which the youngster makes his name, and hopefully a bigger history for the South Asian community.
Hannibal Majbri
Another star in Manchester United’s academy and a major international, Hannibal Mejbri has caused quite a stir this season after taking a big break in the first team in the latter stages of the season, and next season could see the midfielder raise his game to the next level. next stage.
A silky technical and physically ready for the professional match, Mejbri is the best player in United’s Europa League next season, and the competition will give the midfielder plenty of minutes to improve his abilities and test himself against some high-level players.
Alejandro Garnacho
Alejandro Garnacho is one of the youngest players to feature in the Premier League this season, and arguably has surpassed the likes of Megbri among Manchester United fans as the most exciting young talent to come from the club’s academy this season.
The 17-year-old winger has already been called up to the Argentina first team and is ready to explode next season at United, and the Europa League could be the stage where Madrid-born Tin Hag gives the Granacho his first real minutes in professional football, as the fans will be Excited to see teen talent.
Charlie McNeill
17 goals in all competitions is an impressive tally for any young striker, and for Charlie McNeil, the prospect of Manchester United is a strong candidate to appear for the Red Devils next season in Europe.
With Thursday nights likely to be used as a game of rest for Cristiano Ronaldo, McNeill could play a good sum in United’s Europa League whether on the bench or right from the start, and given the striker’s confidence levels, the young player will take the chance with both hands.
