Manchester United: The youngsters have given suggestions for the first team next season

Manchester United’s youngsters are chasing silverware on two fronts.

Adam Lawrence’s Under-21 side booked a trip to Crystal Palace in the Premier League 2 play-off quarter-finals with a win over Sunderland on Sunday.

Darren Fletcher’s under-18s may miss out on the Premier League title at North Manchester City but they have the chance to avenge their neighbors in the FA Youth Cup final – a day still embroiled in a competition dispute affecting Pep Guardiola’s title-chasing veteran side.

For United’s players, these fixtures are huge and could have a huge impact on who stakes their claim to playing a meaningful role in the early stages of pre-season and more involvement at the senior level.

In the year United’s first pre-season game of 2018 came four days after France beat Croatia in the World Cup final. Jose Mourinho’s squad included seven starters, including Tahit Chong, James Garner and Mason Greenwood, who were only 16 at the time.

Meanwhile, United begin their pre-season preparations a day before the final, against Premier League promotion hopefuls Wrexham in Helsinki on July 18.

If players are allowed a break of at least three weeks between the end of one season and the start of the next, this means that any player participating in the World Cup will not be in Finland.

From the current squad, Patrick Dorgu, Brian Mbemo and Benjamin Cesco will play for the non-qualifying nations.

Luke Shaw, Mason Mount, Lenny Yoro, Aiden Haven will not be selected, centre-back Matjis de Ligt looks unlikely to be called up in the Netherlands due to injury, and keeper Andre Onana is still under contract but currently on loan in Turkey with Trabzonspor.

That number of youngsters could play against Wrexham and Norway’s Rosenborg on July 24.

Lawrence said no decision has been made yet.

“At the end of the season and at the beginning of the next one, we will sit down and look at the personal paths and programs of the players,” he added.

There will be some hoping that if their level of performance – and where they are – deserves it, they will be involved with the first team during pre-season.

“So you’re looking to see if those players get opportunities, for example, as it’s a World Cup year, there may be more players who go with the first team.

“When you get these opportunities, it’s up to the player to perform and feel good about themselves.”