Manchester United need a big season in 2024/25, looking to capitalise on the high of winning the FA Cup in May following a disappointing Premier League campaign.
Investments in the squad have been made, including 18-year-old centre-back prodigy Leny Yoro, to equip Erik ten Hag with a group that should be capable of returning to the all-important top four and the Champions League. Sadly for Yoro, a pre-season injury means he may not play for a while.
Young players are part of the fabric at United, whether those who have come through the academy ranks or signed early in their professional career to develop. Ten Hag has already bought into that culture, having known something quite similar at former club Ajax.
Emerging talents should therefore have a role to play as the season gets underway and these are four potential breakout stars to watch out for in 2024/25…
United supporters and fans of other clubs obviously know who Amad Diallo is by now. He’s already been at Old Trafford for over three and a half years since a transfer from Atalanta worth up to £37m, while last season’s FA Cup winner against Liverpool will live long in the memory. But the Ivorian, only recently 22, is yet to properly establish himself. Now could be his chance.
After a pre-season knee injury forced him to miss the first half of last season, Amad’s decisive impact against Liverpool seemed a bit of a catalyst as it wasn’t long afterwards that he was regularly coming off the bench in the Premier League, followed by a first Premier League start for three years in May.
Amad was routinely getting the nod from Ten Hag to start in pre-season and kept his place over Anthony and Jadon Sancho for the Community Shield. He looked sharp at Wembley, making seveal surging runs through the Manchester City defence that just needed a slightly better end product.
Based on the last few months, there is every reason to believe chances will come his way and, as long he stays fit, Amad could yet prove to be a key player in 2024/25 and beyond.
Some considered it a surprise that 17-year-old left-back Harry Amass was not part of the squad that Ten Hag took to Wembley for the Community Shield. The youngster had often been on the bench towards the end of last season and featured during pre-season, while the United boss didn’t name any other defenders beyond…
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