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One of the most exciting Carrington prospects joined training with Erik ten Hag’s first team ahead of their trip to Brighton for Saturday’s early kick-off.
16-year-old Jim Thwaites bagged two gongs for his goalscoring exploits last season, picking up the goal of the season awards for both the U16s and U18s.
The latter was a stunning last-gasp curler from outside the box against Derby County, which salvaged the side’s unbeaten streak on only his third appearance in that age group.
The youngster signed a first-year scholarship deal earlier this summer, with professional contracts unavailable before the age of 17, and was given the nod by the Manchester United manager to make up the numbers in yesterday’s training session, as reported by The MEN.
Thwaites plies his trade as an attack-minded midfielder, and at just 16 years of age was able to rub shoulders with world class exponents of that role such as Bruno Fernandes, who signed a new contract last week.
He is expected to play a key role in the U18s under Adam Lawrence this season, but in the immortal words of Sir Matt Busby “if you’re good enough you’re old enough”.
If he lights things up at that level, he could have one eye on Angel Gomes’s record as the youngest player to represent United in the Premier League.
Gomes made his first team debut at home to Crystal Palace, replacing Wayne Rooney in the 88th minute, aged 16 years, 263 days old.
Thwaites would have to be very quick to catch him, as he is already 16 years and 246 days old.
Manchester United U18s had a magnificent campaign last season, storming to the Premier League North title and netting 74 goals along the way.
United head to the AMEX Stadium looking to build on their opening day victory over Fulham, where debutant Joshua Zirkzee was the difference maker, coming off the bench to score the only goal in a dramatic 1-0 win.
They go up against a buoyant Brighton and Hove Albion, who romped to a 3-0 win at Everton in 31-year-old manager Fabian Hürzeler’s first Premier League game in charge.
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