Michael Carrick has shown interest in the Manchester United academy, particularly in one standout player.
Last week, Carrick attended some academy matches, which contrasted with former manager Ruben Amorim’s lack of involvement with the youth teams.
Rafe McCormack, a midfielder, impressed Carrick with his performance during the FA Youth Cup, dominating the game from the center.
There are many other players in the academy who may also catch Carrick’s attention in the future.
Jim Thwaites draws Michael Carrick’s attention at Manchester United
Photo by Joe Prior/Visionhaus via Getty Images
Jim Thwaites stands out for his technical skill in the academy, combining elements reminiscent of Paul Scholes and David Beckham.
Carrick appears to be a great mentor for Thwaites, helping him to maximize his potential, and the new manager seems to have already noticed him.
Insider Sully Talkz reported that Thwaites is close to returning from injury, and Carrick is eagerly awaiting this comeback.
The 18-year-old has impressed many as one of the top technical talents in the squad, drawing comparisons to Pedri.
Thwaites has received positive feedback for his training and matches, catching the attention of first-team coaches under Amorim, and this focus is likely to continue with Carrick, especially with hints of Thwaites moving up to the senior squad.
Michael Carrick’s style suits Jim Thwaites’ development
Thwaites is a strong fit for the kind of midfielder Carrick used to be, potentially shaping the next wave of young talent at Old Trafford.
Thwaites has always excelled at controlling play, resonating with Carrick’s own playing style. Training together could be beneficial for both.
Carrick’s experience as a club legend mentoring a young talent reflects successful partnerships seen elsewhere, like Xavi with Pedri or Guardiola with Iniesta, which is something supporters hope to see under Carrick’s direction.
As Thwaites recovers from injury, there is talk of him receiving regular minutes with Adam Lawrence’s U21 team, putting him in Carrick’s sights and enhancing his chances for senior training opportunities.
If he gets such chances, it could strengthen the case for Carrick’s long-term role as manager, something supporters seem to be increasingly in favor of.