Mateo Mejia, a talented youth player for Manchester United, was called up to train with the first squad on Friday.
The Colombian under-20 international is performing admirably for the under-21 team this season after overcoming his ongoing injury problems.
In addition to topping the under-21s in assists, he has been playing as a winger. In the most recent under-21 match, he led the line against Arsenal and scored.He now has the opportunity to win over Erik ten Hag's coaching staff at Carrington.
Mateo Mejia was one of a group of under-21 players who participated in the training with first team stars like Christian Eriksen and Diogo Dalot.
Björn Hardley, a young player for Manchester United, has as well been practicing with the starting lineup due to the defensive injuries. Prior to Sunday's match against Nottingham Forest, the 20-year-old Dutchman has been added to the senior squad.
Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez suffered injuries against Sevilla on Thursday night that may have permanently ended their seasons.
As a result, Hardley might emerge as Erik ten Hag's go-to player, particularly now that Harry Maguire will miss the FA Cup semifinal against Brighton next week due to a suspension.
In 2019, Hardley joined United from NAC Breda at the recommendation of scout Rene Moonen. He hasn't played for United's senior team but has been a regular for their under-23 team in Premier League 2.
He was on the bench against Young Boys last season under Ralf Rangnick, but he didn't start. Left-footed center back Hardley might see himself filling in for Martinez in the closing weeks of the season.Hardley has the skills to play for the first team, so he will be hoping he can take advantage of his chance.
This was an excellent method to keep the under-21s interested since they don't have a game this weekend and play away at Leicester City on Monday night.
In the midst of an injury crisis, it also supplied additional numbers for the first team workout. Dan Gore, Zidane Iqbal, and Isak Hansen-Aaroen were among those involved. Since Marcus Rashford is still out injured for United, Mejia, 20, had the opportunity to try to attract Erik ten Hag's attention.
A few eager youngsters at this stage of the season, joining the first team might give United the extra push they need to win another silverware.
Erik Ten Hag not worried about Manchester United's injury crisis
As Manchester United prepares to face Nottingham Forest, manager Erik ten Hag is confident that his team has enough depth.
The Dutchman is combining a top-four push with their effort to follow their Carabao Cup win with Europa League and FA Cup glory in a hectic debut season with no let-up.
In the midst of this chaotic time, United go to relegation-danger Forest in the Premier League on Sunday before focusing on cup concerns.
The score is now tied at 2-2 in the Europa League quarterfinal matchup with Sevilla ahead of Thursday's second leg in Spain. The FA Cup semifinal matchup with Brighton will take place at Wembley the following Sunday.
"We have depth in the squad," Ten Hag said as the number of absentees grows at a vital stage of the campaign.
"We have to use the squad - that's also what we did (on Thursday). In the meantime, you have to win games, so also you need a tactical approach to win the games."
"But I think we have good players and when we have problems - so injuries, suspensions - we have depth in the squad."
Asked about the impact of opponents having played fewer games at this stage than United, Ten Hag said: "Yes (I need to think about energy levels), but I see also an advantage."
"We had more games so we have more routines, so we like to play and that will give the energy."
"I think many, many advantages and we want to go for silverware. That has to give energy. We want to go to make this season a success. That has to give energy."
Luke Shaw and Scott McTominay might play again on Sunday, but Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez will be out due to injuries they sustained against Sevilla. Lisandro Martinez will miss the rest of the season after breaking a metatarsal bone in his foot.
The defensive pair will be watching from the sidelines as United attempts to defeat Forest for the fourth time this season, joining players like Marcus Rashford, Alejandro Garnacho, and Donny van de Beek.
Prior to Ten Hag's team winning 3-0 on the banks of the Trent and 2-0 at home in their Carabao Cup semifinal match, Steve Cooper's promoted team lost the reverse league match at Old Trafford in December by a score of 3-0.
"I know what place they are and we know what we can expect on Sunday," the Dutchman said of Forest, who enter the weekend 18th in the standings.
"They are in a survival mode and they will run for their lives, so we have to be ready for that game."
Anthony Martial, who ably led the line on Thursday as the frequently injured attacker made his first start in three months, is one of those vying for the starting spot at the City Ground.
This season, the 27-year-old's two goals against Forest, and Ten Hag is attempting to strike a balance between the advantages of his offensive abilities and keeping him in shape.
Maybe he can (play 90 minutes) but it's a risk," the United boss said, having withdrawn him after 62 minutes against former club Sevilla.
"We can't take that risk in this moment because we don't have so many options in the frontline with Rashford injured, with Garnacho injured."
"We don't have so many options there, so we have to be careful and also in (an) individual prospect, we know when there's coming a lot of load he gets injured."
"So, we have to build it and especially when the games are coming quick after each other, the recovery time is less."
"We have to take that also in mind. We have to manage that very good and very careful."
Post a Comment