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Topics: Manchester United, Europa League, Ruben Amorim, Real Sociedad
Jack Kenmare
Topics: Manchester United, Europa League, Ruben Amorim, Real Sociedad
Manchester United chose to add January signings Patrick Dorgu and Ayden Heaven to their updated Europa League squad, along with a highly-rated academy product.
It emerged this week that teenage forward Chido Obi will not feature for the remainder of United's Europa League campaign, which restarts on Thursday night against Real Sociedad.
The 17-year-old, who impressed on Sunday after replacing Rasmus Hojlund, joined United in September, which was after the squad registration deadline had passed for the league phase.
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Like every other club who progressed to the Europa League knockout phase, United had the opportunity to make three changes to their squad following the winter transfer window.
After Marcus Rashford, Antony and Antony departed on loan deals, they opted to add Patrick Dorgu and Ayden Heaven along with academy product Jack Fletcher, the son of former United midfielder Darren Fletcher.
The 17-year-old has been included in numerous matchday squads under Erik ten Hag and Ruben Amorim, including last month's Premier League clash against Spurs.
Ahead of the winter window, Fletcher was not eligible to be on the Europa League B-List as he only joined United from Manchester City in the summer of 2023.
But after being included in the 25-man A-List, the midfielder will be able to feature against Real Sociedad unlike Chido Obi, who only joined United in September following the expiration of his schoolboy deal at Arsenal.
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More often than not, a youth player would be added to the B-List, which effectively allows an unlimited amount of youngsters to be added to the squad before each matchday.
But as per UEFA regulations, only club-trained players born on or after 1 January 2003, who have been with their employers for an uninterrupted period of a minimum of two years, are allowed to be considered for selection on the B-List.
Here's how fans on social media reacted to Fletcher's inclusion.
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One said: "So one of our few attacking options is ineligible for the one competition we’re still in? Fantastic. Nice planning as ever," while another commented: "Jack Fletcher got picked we could only make 3 changes. It is what it is."
A third wrote: "Would be somewhat understandable ... but only if Jack Fletcher had been given any minutes up to now and will get any on Thursday. Yes Obi's rise has been sudden but the lack of goals + attackers was obvious and a long standing problem."
A fourth said: "Why Fletcher? He hasn't gotten a sniff of first team game time," and a fifth added: "The squad was submitted last month, but the inclusion of Fletcher leaves no room for Chido, Kone, Graczyk or Harrison."
Thoughts on United's chances in the Europa League? Let us know in the comments.