Man United’s first-team squad are in Ireland this week as they prepare for a return to Premier League action next Monday.
Jim Thwaites is one of five young players to have travelled with the Manchester United squad to Ireland this week(Image: Poppy Townson – MUFC/Manchester United via Getty Images)
Manchester United are in Ireland this week as they undertake an intense training camp at Carton House near Dublin. The aim of the trip is to bring the squad back up to speed ahead of the Premier League clash with Leeds next Monday and allow the group to bond in new surroundings.
Patrick Dorgu, Lisandro Martinez, Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko have all travelled after suffering injury issues in a big boost for Michael Carrick. While Shea Lacey, Chido Obi, Jack Moorhouse and Jack and Tyler Fletcher remain in Manchester for the visit of Real Madrid tonight, five youngsters have been given a chance to impress the interim head coach.
Third-choice goalkeeper Tom Heaton has not travelled to Ireland so Fred Heath completes the four-man goalkeeping group.
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This training camp will be all about adapting to senior football for Heath. Yuel Helafu has also joined the ranks with Matthijs de Ligt still out with a back injury.
The 17-year-old right back signed for United after impressing against the Reds’ development team while playing for his grassroots club. Helafu has made good progress this season playing for Darren Fletcher’s U18s and Adam Lawrence’s U21s in five Premier League 2 fixtures.
Ireland will be a great chance for the young defender to show Carrick he is not far off making the next step towards the first team. Jim Thwaites is a midfielder United fans will be familiar with.
The 18-year-old defensive midfielder was taken to Asia as part of United’s post-season tour last May. He has worn the captain’s armband on three occasions for the U18s this season and since February has played three games for the U21s.
Thwaites will be aware of the midfield overhaul coming in the summer with Casemiro set to depart and Manuel Ugarte also in the shop window. New signings will arrive but Thwaites will hope he can show the senior squad that he can be trusted to play in rotation during what will be a busier season.
Finally, 19-year-old centre-forward Victor Musa completes the squad. The striker has scored three goals in his last three appearances in the Premier League 2, including a brace against Southampton.
He scored regularly for the U18s last season with 16 goals in 19 appearances and his versatility to play as a striker as well as on both wings will be useful for the Reds. Musa will hope he can show off his finishing in front of Carrick and earn himself a place on the United bench while centre-forward options remain limited.
2026-04-07 09:36:28
