Man Utd star says youth players 'speak as group' about Carrick's first team chances

Manchester United youth star Jacob Devaney says Academy players "speak as a group" about the first team chances that Michael Carrick gives to them.

While his predecessor Ruben Amorim was often criticised for his approach to United’s youth set-up, Carrick has been a regular presence at academy fixtures and has spoken about building deeper connections across the different age groups at Carrington.

In Saturday’s pre-season friendly against Wrexham in Helsinki, Carrick made 11 changes at half-time and fielded a side for the second half made up entirely of players who have represented the club’s academy.

Devaney was among them, dropping back from his preferred midfield role to play alongside Dan Armer in the centre of defence, and the 19-year-old said he and his team-mates value the manager’s interest in their development.

“(It’s) really important,” Devaney said. “We speak about it as a group. It’s great to have Michael there at the games. We were in training a week before the first team and I think he was out at every session with the staff.

“So it’s nice that he takes knowledge of what you’re doing and he’s obviously not afraid to throw the youth in. He’s shown that last year. It’s positive to have someone like him in the building.”

Devaney has no shortage of belief in himself, as shown by the way he approached the challenge of facing Wrexham’s experienced forward Kieffer Moore.

“I thought me and Dan dealt with him well,” he said. “It goes without saying he’s a big physical threat. He’s had a good career. But I thought we dealt with him well as a pair, and it’s nice to test yourself against someone like him in games like this.

“Wherever I’m put on the pitch, I played multiple positions in the last year, two years, and no matter who I’m up against, whether it’s the lads in training or lads like Kieffer Moore, I’ll apply myself and I’ll give 100 per cent, and I’ll always back myself to come out on top as well.”

The Barnsley-born Republic of Ireland Under-21 international spent half of last season on loan at St Mirren, making 18 appearances and helping the club avoid relegation from the Scottish Premiership with a play-off win over Partick Thistle.

Devaney is ready to leave on loan again if the right opportunity comes up.

“Obviously I want to play first-team football, whether that be at Manchester United for the next year or not,” he said. “The main aim and goal for me is to play for Manchester United week in, week out.

“So whether I have to go on loan again and gain more valuable experience like I did at St Mirren, or whether that be in the building, learning from the best which is here at Manchester United, we’ll see what happens.”