Man United call up wonderkid to training after Rasmus Hojlund injury as Erik ten Hag hatches plan for Man City clash
ERIK TEN HAG has called upon a rising star to help his side prepare for the Manchester Derby this weekend.
The Manchester United boss invited 17-year-old Gabriele Biancheri to train with the first team ahead of the derby day on Sunday.
Man Utd are without a whole host of big stars for the heavyweight clash and may have to turn to some unfamiliar faces to make up the numbers.
But the Manchester Evening News claim the surprise training call-ups were down to Ten Hag resting a number of first team players who had started in United’s 1-0 win over Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup.
Biancheri is one of those who was called upon with the teenager rated highly at Carrington.
The Welsh whizz predominantly plays as a centre-forward and has managed five goals and three assists in his 13 appearances for the Man Utd U18s team this term.
Biancheri joined the Red Devils from Cardiff City in January of last year after catching the eye in the Bluebirds development squad.
And he offers a versatility to Ten Hag’s side as he can play anywhere across the front line if needed and could be a shock inclusion in the Dutchman’s squad for Sunday.
The Red Devils will remain without star striker Ramsus Hojlund who has been ruled out with a muscle injury.
Youngster Omari Forson stepped in for the Dane to make his full Premier League debut last weekend.
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But he was substituted after 53 minutes in the 2-1 defeat Fulham.
Ten Hag will also be without Mason Mount, Luke Shaw, Anthony Martial, Tyrell Malacia and Lisandro Martinez for the derby clash.
The trip to the Etihad is always a big day in the calendar for Man Utd.
But Sunday’s game carries extra weight for the under-pressure Ten Hag who will be taking charge of his 100th game as United boss.