Teenage defender Louis Jackson has been spotted training with Manchester United’s first-team ahead of Tuesday’s Carabao Cup third round clash with Crystal Palace.
While Erik ten Hag is not one to rotate for the sake of it, Crystal Palace’s midweek arrival at Old Trafford should afford an opportunity for the Dutchman to shuffle his injury-hit pack, and hand out rare opportunities to a number of fringe players.
Do not be surprised to see Anthony Martial lead the line. Facundo Pellistri and Alejandro Garnacho providing the ammunition from out wide. There may be a full debut for deadline day signing Sofyan Amrabat, a Manchester United bow for Altay Bayindir, and a few minutes for the returning Mason Mount.
Whether Louis Jackson will be handed a spot in the matchday squad remains to be seen. United looking to defend their Carabao crown, and the only trophy the club has won in the last six years.
But the 18-year-old Scot is obviously making a positive impression at Carrington.
Louis Jackson in Manchester United training
Jackson was spotted training with Marcus Rashford, Bruno Fernandes and co on Monday morning, sharing a picture on Instagram. Oldham-born Jackson, capped twice by Scotland at Under 19 level, has featured in all of United’s last three Premier League 2 games. He was a big part of the Red Devils team who won the FA Youth Cup back in 2022 as well. Parachuted in and standing out during the 3-1 final victory over Nottingham Forest.
The Guardian, meanwhile, picked out Jackson as the most talented Man United player of his age group around 12 months ago, shortly after the teenager signed his first professional contract with the Old Trafford outfit.
Man United host Crystal Palace in Carabao Cup
“Darren Fletcher has been a big help for me. He’s a really nice guy. He makes a point of always talking to me,” Jackson tells MUTV of the former United and Scotland midfielder-turned-technical director.
“He’s always asking me if there is anything I need or any help he can give me. He had an amazing career with Manchester United and with Scotland. Any advice he can give me is a big help. He’s a man I look up to and he’s a great role model for the younger players like me.”
