Man Utd youth spotlight: Who to look out for among Reds' budding U18 talent

Manchester United's Under-18s have a very different look for the new season, with Darren Fletcher overseeing a major change.

Many of last season's regulars have moved towards the Under-21s or first-team picture including JJ Gabriel.

United confirmed 15 new first-year players for the new campaign, while a number of familiar faces remain with the U18s.

The opening-day defeat to Manchester City at Carrington offered an early glimpse of Fletcher's new group, with three of the new arrivals starting the game.

Here are the 15 players who signed first-year scholarship contracts with the club this summer: Jake Ford, Harley Emsden-James, Idris Fabiyi, Gazimagamed Ibragimov, Connor Laurie, Samuel O'Brien, Jaume Camacho-Sidos, Jacey Carrick, Harlem McLaughlin, Jodie Nganga, Pharell Silvester, Emmanuel Ziro, Edson De Jonge-Seiros, Camron Mpofu and Kai Rooney.

Three were immediately handed starts against City.

Camacho-Sidos, Ziro and Mpofu were selected in the attacking areas and all showed flashes during the 1-0 defeat.

Camacho-Sidos went closest early in the second half, while Mpofu had a goal ruled out for offside.

De Jonge-Seiros was also introduced during the game, while McLaughlin came off the bench late on.

One of the most recognisable names in the intake is Kai Rooney and the son of United legend Wayne Rooney has already experienced U18 football.

He spent much of last season playing below that level but was also given opportunities with the U18s.

He is now officially part of the new intake and will be looking to establish himself at the higher age group on a regular basis.

Rooney's progress will be one of the more interesting stories to follow, particularly given the attacking changes around him.

Fletcher has also retains a group of players who were important to last season's U18 side.

Yuel Helafu, Rafe McCormack, Jayden Ngwashi, Jacob Watson, Jariyah Shah, Louie Bradbury, Neithan Barbosa and Nathaniel-Junior Brown are among those continuing with the group.

Shah started against City and looked comfortable in midfield, while Brown was one of United's most dangerous players, causing problems from the left before switching flanks.

Helafu was also heavily involved, with the full-back showing his willingness to push forward and create opportunities.

Jay McEvoy is another player who has already made a significant impression at U18 level.

The midfielder was one of the standout performers in Fletcher's team last season and has continued to feature around the group during the summer.

However, the expectation is that McEvoy will increasingly move towards the Under-21s this season rather than being a permanent member of the U18 team.

His progression is representative of the challenge Fletcher faces: some of his best players from last season are now ready for the next step.

Noah Ajayi showed his quality in attack last season as he took apart defences with his strength and power while at the back for United, Jayden Ngwashi will be looking to justify all the hopes for him after an injury ravaged campaign.

The biggest name associated with the age group remains JJ Gabriel, although his situation is very different.

The 15-year-old was the U18 Premier League Player of the Season last term after scoring 29 goals across the U18 Premier League and FA Youth Cup.

But Gabriel has now moved up into the first-team picture with most of his games likely to be with the U21s.

He made his senior debut during pre-season and has trained with Michael Carrick's squad, meaning his involvement with the U18s is likely to become increasingly limited.

It is quite possible that Gabriel will still play some games for the U18s but he will by no means be a regular.

The changes mean this is likely to be a much younger and less experienced Utd U18 team than the one that competed for honours last season.

Fletcher still has players such as Shah, Brown, Helafu and McCormack who know the level, but there is a significant group of new players learning the demands of U18 football for the first time.

The early focus will therefore be on which of the new arrivals can establish themselves quickly.

Camacho-Sidos, Ziro and Mpofu have already had their first opportunity, while Rooney, Carrick, McLaughlin and the rest of the intake will be looking to make their mark.