CHIDO OBI was invited to train with Manchester United’s first-team this week.
Although it is standard for academy players to be called up when the main group is away on international duty, Obi was particularly happy to be back in the fold.
Obi was placed into the Under-21s in the summer after making eight first team appearances last season after joining from Arsenal’s academy.
The striker could be called upon to play more of a role in the coming months, with the club still assessing the extent of Benjamin Sesko’s injury.
The 17-year-old set the world alight at Hale End, but is yet to replicate his goal-scoring prowess for Travis Binnion’s side.
Obi has scored three goals in eight Premier League 2 appearances this season but missed out on Denmark Under-21 selection this month.
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LACEY TRAINS WITH CARSLEY
Shea Lacey was drafted into two England‘s Under-21 training sessions this week.
Lacey only made his Three Lions Under-20 debut during the October internationals.
The 18-year-old forward was pulled in to help out Thomas Tuchel’s first team before they faced Wales last month.
Birmingham City stopper James Beadle’s injury saw United keeper Elyh Harrison, 19, called up to Lee Carsley’s team for the first time in his career.
The 19-year-old has played eight games for loan club Shrewsbury in all competitions this season, including six appearances in League Two, keeping one clean sheet.
Lee Carsley said of Lacey: “He’s been in the pathway a good amount of time now and he’s a player that we rate highly.
“It worked out well that we needed that position for the training we were doing and Shea was more than happy to come over and train with the Under-21s.
“You can see he’s a good talent. I know he’s struggled with injuries in the past, which has probably held back his development, but I think it’s so important we don’t rush these young players, we let them develop in their own time.
“I think he trained two sessions with us and I enjoyed having him.”
MAGUIRE CONCERNS
Harry Maguire is perhaps United’s best chance for representation in England’s World Cup squad next summer – if only he could stay fit.
Maguire limped off in the 72nd minute of United’s 2-2 draw at Spurs, with United leading 1-0 at the time.
It was Maguire’s first start since picking up a knock at Anfield, where he scored a late winner and played one of his two 90 minute games this term.
John Stones, Marc Guehi and Ezri Konsa are among the top centre-back picks, but Tuchel’s 4-2-3-1 formation leaves space for another central defensive option.
Maguire would bring experience but he’s yet to be called up by Tuchel, with his last cap coming under interim boss Carsley.
Amorim said Luke Shaw should be considered, but Shaw has moved on from his traditional left-back role to become a left-sided centre-half in United back-three.
WAIT AND ZEE
Joshua Zirkzee has been told there is “no chance” of a mid-season departure from United.
As Sun Sport revealed last month, United are prepared to block requests from players to leave in the winter transfer window as they are set to lose Bryan Mbeumo, Amad and Noussair Mazraoui during the African Cup of Nations, which starts on December 21.
Zirkzee, 24, has not started a game for United since April but he has been an ever-present in matchday squads and his playing time could increase with fellow forwards Amad and Mbeumo in Morocco for AFCON.
Eighteenth-placed West Ham would likely be better off with a more prolific forward. Zirkzee has not scored a Premier League goal since December 1.
AMORIM’S METHODS
One of the criticisms of former manager Erik ten Hag from several United players was that his training sessions were too intense and contributed to their infamous injury toll.
Ruben Amorim has adjusted United’s training pattern so that their daily sessions become less intense as they approach matchday, ensuring the players are as fresh as possible for their fixture.
Excluding Lisandro Martinez, who has been sidelined since February, United players have missed only a combined ten games this season through injury.
ACADEMY DISCRETION
Nobody from the United academy has publicly addressed Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s comments that it has “slipped”.
The new academy head, Stephen Torpey, started in late September and is just getting his feet under the table.
However, he is certain to be asked about Ratcliffe’s thoughts when he is available for interview.
United coach Binnion has been told he is not permitted to speak on the record about the matter, despite the presence of regular journalists at their games.
The club do not have an academy press officer and there was not a single United media member present for the National League Cup tie at Rochdale last month.
PLAY ACTING
Last Wednesday was a commercial and media day for United players, with shirt sponsors Snapdragon responsible for most of the camera equipment and lighting on the upper floor of the new building at Carrington.
A handful of United players had to do some part-time acting for an upcoming , with Diogo Dalot one of the squad members in full kit.
Dalot even got an “action” cue from the director before his takes.
SCHOOL HOLIDAYS
United’s non-internationals all trained between Monday to Wednesday this week and now have a few days off.
Eight players stayed behind in Manchester, including Mason Mount, Kobbie Mainoo, Joshua Zirkzee, Shaw and Maguire, while injured Sesko pulled out of Slovenia duty for further tests.
Maguire clearly felt the absences of his team-mates who were away with their national clubs.
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The 32-year-old posted, “Quiet morning at Carrington” before working out in an empty gym with conditioning coach Michael Clegg, who came through the ranks at United.
This is the last Fifa hiatus until March and Mainoo is still recovering from his minor knock.
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