As Michael Carrick prepares to lead Manchester United into the high-stakes Manchester derby, one of the early talking points from the club’s training ground has been the unexpected inclusion of a young academy player in first-team sessions.
With Carrick officially stepping in as interim head coach, attention has quickly turned to how he intends to assess his squad and identify solutions from within ahead of a crucial run of fixtures.
Since taking charge, Carrick has begun hands-on work with the players at the club’s Carrington training complex. The first sessions under his leadership have seen the return of several senior players from international commitments, including Amad Diallo and Bryan Mbeumo, as the new coaching staff look to establish rhythm and sharpness before the weekend showdown.
Alongside the established names, however, Carrick has also opened the door to younger talents eager to make an impression.
One notable addition to the training group is 20-year-old defender Habeeb Ogunneye. The right-back has only recently returned to Manchester United after cutting short his loan spell at Newport County.
Ogunneye featured regularly during the early part of his time in League Two, making a total of 21 appearances and gaining valuable experience in senior football.
However, his involvement diminished in recent weeks, prompting United to recall him earlier than planned in order to reassess his development and future pathway.
According to journalist Nathan Salt, Ogunneye was directly involved in Carrick’s first full training session as manager. His presence is believed to be linked to the current situation at right-back, where United are light on options.
With Noussair Mazraoui unavailable, Carrick appears keen to explore internal solutions, and Ogunneye’s inclusion may provide short-term cover while also giving the coaching staff a chance to evaluate his readiness for higher-level involvement.
The club is now considering several possibilities regarding Ogunneye’s next steps. One option is to arrange another loan move before the end of the season, allowing him to continue gaining regular first-team minutes elsewhere.
Alternatively, United could retain him within the academy structure while keeping him close to the senior squad, effectively using him as additional depth during a busy and demanding period.
His recall also highlights a broader issue Carrick must address, particularly at right-back. Diogo Dalot has struggled for consistency this season, and with limited alternatives available, the interim manager may be forced to look creatively at the club’s youth ranks.
In addition to Ogunneye, other academy prospects such as Jaydan Kamason, James Overy, and Jayden Ngwashi are also being monitored as potential options should the need arise.
Ultimately, Ogunneye’s involvement in first-team training reflects Carrick’s willingness to assess all available resources as he settles into the role.
With important matches looming and squad balance a concern, the interim boss appears open to rewarding academy players who show promise, reinforcing Manchester United’s long-standing tradition of promoting youth while addressing immediate tactical needs.
