Ralf Rangnick included four academy prospects as the Manchester United first team trained on Tuesday ahead of their vital Premier League encounter with Chelsea.
The Red Devils are in dire need of a response after three defeats in their last four games as they welcome the Blues to Old Trafford on Thursday night. The latest of these losses came against Arsenal on Saturday and all but ended United's hopes of achieving a top-four finish and Champions League qualification.
Nonetheless, there are four games remaining for players to stake their claim to be a part of the imminent rebuild under incoming manager Erik ten Hag. The Dutchman has a fine record of working with emerging talents at Ajax, so United's youngsters will be out to impress when they are granted the minutes to do so.
Rangnick chose four academy starlets to join the senior squad for midweek training, namely Hannibal Mejbri, Alvaro Fernandez, Shola Shoretire and Will Fish. The quartet were pictured in action at United's Carrington base aiming to convince Rangnick they deserve a chance against Chelsea.
Of the youngsters involved, winger Shola Shoretire, 18, is the most well-known having made four senior appearances for the Red Devils. Midfielder Mejbri, 19, has also seen his stock rise recently after coming off the bench for a late cameo during last week's 4-0 defeat by Liverpool for his second first-team game.
Left-back Fernandez, 19, is still waiting for his senior debut while centre-back Will Fish, also 19, made one appearance under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer last season and was recalled from a loan at Stockport County in January.
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Interim manager Rangnick including the four prospects in training comes as United are short of options in numerous areas, especially midfield. Paul Pogba will play no part against Chelsea and is facing a race to be fit again this season after suffering a calf complaint, while Fred is a doubt with a hip flexor issue.
Luke Shaw is also ruled out having undergone a minor knee operation and Edinson Cavani's calf injury means he is not expected to return until May. United go into their clash with the Blues six points behind fourth-placed Arsenal having played one game more than the North Londoners.
Chelsea, meanwhile, appear to have secured their spot in the top four as they are five points ahead of the Gunners with a game in hand. The Blues left it late but defeated West Ham on Sunday thanks to a Christian Pulisic winner moments after Jorginho squandered a penalty.
