Man Utd add wonderkid with very famous dad to first-team squad for Arsenal clash

Manchester United have confirmed that young talent Jack Fletcher is training with the first-team ahead of Sunday's Premier League opener against Arsenal at Old Trafford.

Fletcher, son of former United midfielder and current Under-18s boss Darren, is one of the most promising players emerging from the club's academy.

The young midfielder recently joined the club's pre-season tour of the United States and made an appearance in the second half of the 2-1 victory over West Ham United at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. He also came off the bench in the 0-0 draw against Leeds United that preceded the US tour.

Despite scoring four goals in nine Premier League 2 appearances for United's Under-21s last season, the 18 year old is yet to make his competitive first-team debut for the club. However, he was named on the bench on seven occasions last season.

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Fletcher, along with his brother Tyler, made the switch from cross-city rivals Manchester City to United in the summer of 2023. The pair crossed the Manchester divide for a combined fee of £1.25million, as per the Manchester Evening News.

As they prepare for Sunday's Premier League curtain-raiser against the Gunners, United are not exactly flush with midfield options. The club's website highlights just how thin on the ground United are in that particular department.

With Dan Gore having been loaned out to Rotherham United for the season earlier this summer, United's first-team squad now only lists six midfielders on their official website. However, that number is expected to dwindle further with the anticipated loan departure of Toby Collyer.

Moreover, Mason Mount has been earmarked as a No. 10 by head coach Ruben Amorim, leaving Casemiro, Manuel Ugarte, Kobbie Mainoo and Bruno Fernandes as the senior midfield options for the Portuguese boss.

United are eager to bolster their midfield line-up before the transfer window shuts on 1 September and have shown interest in signing Brighton and Hove Albion star Carlos Baleba.

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