The summer fixture schedule is often an opportunity for new signings to take centre stage, but just as important for Manchester United is having a platform to give their most promising youngsters a chance to shine.
Erik ten Hag used his United debut, the pre-season opener against Liverpool, to cast an eye over as many players as possible. But there were still a few noticeable absentees from the 4-0 thrashing of Jurgen Klopp's side.
The United manager used the half-time break as an opportunity to change his entire outfield squad with 10 substitutions, while Tom Heaton also got minutes from the bench following an injury scare to David de Gea. Ten Hag appeared to confirm the United pecking order for next season by naming his strongest XI possible from the start and then replacing them with their back-ups at the break; and if so, it raises questions about those who were left unused.
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Ethan Laird remained on the bench as first-choice Diogo Dalot was replaced by Aaron Wan-Bissaka, and with United still in the market for another right-back this summer, the youngster's time at the club might well be limited.
Tahith Chong is another who could be out on loan again this summer. The Dutch winger, who spent the last year at Birmingham, is in the final year of his contract at the club and not even the arrival of his compatriot coach has been enough for him to move up United's attacking hierarchy.
Then there is Hannibal Mejbri, still one of the most exciting young players at the club, but one who faces an uncertain future following a couple of summer decisions. The 19-year-old has played more times for the senior Tunisia side than he has for United in his fledgling career, but is now considered a first-teamer after his international exploits at the Arab Cup and subsequent African Cup of Nations campaign.
Hannibal was handed his first senior start by Ralf Rangnick last season, playing just more than an hour in the final day loss to Crystal Palace, as well as his combative cameo against Liverpool, in which he thoroughly left his mark on the Merseysiders.
The Tunisian teenager burst onto the scene thanks to his silky skills and eye for goal. But in the first-team limelight he has caught the eye for his physical approach, one that will need to be carefully nurtured if he is to make it in the professional game.
With only three senior club appearances to his name, it is crucial Hannibal gets a regular taste of football next season — something that looks rather unlikely at United right now. Despite being deployed in a deeper central midfield role at youth level over the past year, the Tunisian remains an attacking midfielder by trade, and it is hard to see him getting any meaningful minutes there for United next season.
Bruno Fernandes has monopolised the role since he arrived in January 2020 and there will be further competition when Christian Eriksen eventually finalises his arrival on a free contract this summer.
Then there is Donny van de Beek, who Ten Hag this week admitted is best suited to 'playing short behind the striker', adding another layer of competition for the academy graduate to overcome.
Hannibal also faces huge competition to get any playing time in a deeper role given the first-team options have been bolstered this summer by the presence of fellow academy graduates James Garner, Charlie Savage and Zidane Iqbal.
It is now three years since United committed to paying Monaco a fee that could rise to €10million for Hannibal. Now it is time for them to take a hard look at his development plan and what the next step might be.
The youngster has attracted loan interest over the past few transfer windows and it is no different this summer as clubs submit enquiries about possibly taking the youngster on a temporary deal.
Any exit will need the blessing of Ten Hag, but with Eriksen set to arrive and De Jong desperate for game time, it seems like Hannibal's immediate future might lie elsewhere.
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