With Manchester United's senior squad still missing World Cup participants and key signings yet to be confirmed, a group of talented youngsters are set to seize their moment during the club's pre-season tour of Finland and Norway.

Newly appointed head coach Michael Carrick will take charge of friendlies against Wrexham in Helsinki on 18 July and Norwegian side Rosenborg in Trondheim on 24 July. Because World Cup players are entitled to three weeks' recovery after their exit from the tournament, Carrick will lean heavily on academy prospects for both matches.

Likely arrivals Andrey Santos and Karl Darlow are close to completing their respective moves from Chelsea and Leeds, while Matthijs de Ligt continues to recover from back surgery. The situation surrounding Ederson's prospective transfer from Atalanta also remains unresolved.

Shea Lacey — the forward with a point to prove

Lacey, 19, has already been training with the senior squad on a full-time basis, with age-group involvement limited to matches alone. United's under-21 coach Adam Lawrence spoke highly of him toward the end of last season, and academy staff hold him in considerable regard.

An England Under-20 international, Lacey is a left-footed attacker who operates from the right and cuts inside — a profile that will need to find its place in Carrick's system. Pre-season offers him a platform to make that case directly.

Jack Fletcher — the midfielder who kept a record alive

Fletcher, 19, was called into the senior squad by Ruben Amorim in November when Kobbie Mainoo was ruled out injured ahead of the trip to Tottenham Hotspur, preserving United's unbroken run of including a home-grown player in every matchday squad since October 1937.

He made his debut at Aston Villa the following month and featured in three consecutive matchday squads before his involvement became more sporadic. Fletcher reads the game well and can control its tempo — pre-season is a chance to demonstrate that quality against senior opposition.

Harry Amass — left-back aiming for a fresh start

Amass, 19, made his senior debut after the departure of Erik ten Hag but was subsequently loaned to Sheffield Wednesday following the arrival of Diego Leon. He produced an impressive first half of the season at Wednesday before a serious hamstring injury during his loan spell at Norwich ended his campaign prematurely.

Whether he can challenge Luke Shaw for the left-back berth is uncertain, but a clean bill of health and strong performances in pre-season could open doors for him in a congested fixture schedule.

Radek Vitek — a goalkeeper ready for a permanent stage

The 22-year-old Czech international was an unused substitute when United toured against Rangers two years ago. Since then, he has played a full season in Austria's top flight and spent last campaign at Bristol City, where he swept the club's player of the year awards.

A loan or permanent transfer — with a buy-back clause expected — is considered likely for 2026-27, and Vitek has stated his priority is regular first-team football. Strong performances on tour this month will only strengthen his hand.

Tyler Fletcher — Scotland's World Cup surprise

Fletcher, 19, made his breakthrough toward the end of the 2025-26 season and caught the eye of Scotland manager Steve Clarke during pre-World Cup training, earning his senior international debut as a substitute against Bolivia. When Billy Gilmour was forced out of the World Cup through injury, Fletcher was drafted into Clarke's squad as his replacement.

His exact role in pre-season remains to be seen — he did not feature during the tournament itself — but he arrives on tour with momentum and growing senior experience.

JJ Gabriel — the prodigy everyone is watching

Gabriel will not turn 16 until October, yet he has already attracted interest from the leading clubs across Europe. He was named Premier League Under-18 Player of the Year and Manchester United's Under-18 Player of the Year, achievements made all the more remarkable given he was only 14 at the start of the 2025-26 campaign.

Blessed with pace and balance, Gabriel is most dangerous cutting in from wide areas, though United's coaches believe his frame is currently better suited to the number 10 role. He is expected to feature in pre-season — and the ceiling on his development appears impossibly high.

Jacob Devaney — the versatile leader

Devaney, 19, captained United's under-21 side for the first half of last season and skippered the Republic of Ireland's U21s toward the end of the campaign. Born in Barnsley, he is equally comfortable in central midfield or at centre-back.

A loan spell at St Mirren in the Scottish Premiership gave Devaney his most sustained taste of senior football, and he excelled in midfield throughout. Multiple clubs in England and abroad are reportedly keen to secure him on loan for 2026-27 — making this pre-season tour a significant audition.