ERIK TEN HAG has called up four U21 players to train with the Manchester United first team following his side’s poor start to the season.
The Red Devils have had an underwhelming opening two games with ten Hag under the microscope for his team’s performances.
AlamyErik ten Hag has called up four U21s players to train with the first team[/caption]
GettyThe Manchester United boss is without Mason Mount this weekend after the new signing picked up an injury[/caption]
GettyHannibal Mejbri is one of those who has been called upon by ten Hag[/caption]
And it now looks like the Dutch manager has rolled the dice ahead of United’s clash with Nottingham Forest this weekend by calling up four U21s players to the first team.
According to Steve Railston at the Manchester Evening News, ten Hag has asked Hannibal Mejbri, Isak Hansen-Aaroen, Omari Forson and Marc Jurado to train alongside the first team.
Ten Hag may be hoping the four youngsters can add something different to his team who have been uninspiring so far this season.
Despite winning 1-0 on the Premier League’s opening weekend against Wolves, United were way off the pace and fans considered them lucky to come away with all three points.
The poor performance against the midlands club was compounded by a 2-0 defeat to Spurs last weekend with Ange Postecoglou’s side comfortably breezing past Man United in the second half.
This weekend’s matchup at Old Trafford against Forest provides the Manchester giants a chance to get back on track against a team they’re expected to beat.
It’s unknown whether the four academy prospects are going to be thrown into the mix for the game, but they all missed out on U21s 1-1 draw with Stockport in the EFL Trophy on Tuesday in favour of first team training.
Hannibal Mejbri is the only youngster to have made his senior debut for United before with the Tunisian International making three Premier League appearances in previous seasons.
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Forson, Jurado and Hansen-Aaroen are yet to step out for the first team in a competitive fixture, but all took part in the club’s pre-season preparations.
Ten Hag could be looking to the U21s due to injury problems too with Mason Mount now confirmed to be missing alongside Kobbie Mainoo for the Forest game.
GettyIsak Hansen-Aaroen has been training with the Man United first team[/caption]
GettyOmari Forson has also been called up to train with the squad[/caption]
GettyMarc Jurado and the others who have been called upon by ten Hag all took part in United’s pre-season tour[/caption]
There is also expected to be departures from the 20 time Premier League champions in the last few days of the transfer window and the youth products could plug potential gaps.
Scott McTominay is looking increasingly likely to leave Man United before the window shuts with rumours about a move to West Ham.
Former Red Devils Roy Keane and Gary Neville have said they think ten Hag is trying to force the Scotland international out of the door.
Whilst Fred has already left the club in favour of a move to Turkish side Fenerbahce.
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