Ten Hag could unleash Man United wonderkid against Real Sociedad - he's training with the first team

Man United boss Erik ten Hag has already given opportunities to several young players during his time as Red Devils boss - and another youth team star could receive his debut against Real Sociedad on Thursday.

United enter the Europa League clash knowing a win will see them top Group E, should they win by two goals or more.

That would mean automatic progression to the round of 16 stage.

Should Ten Hag's side fail to win, they will progress to the play-off stage instead - a two-legged tie against one of the third-placed finishers in the Champions League groups.

The Dutchman has not been afraid to rotate his side so far in the competition, and United are on a run of four consecutive victories.

Young stars Alejandro Garnacho and Charlie McNeill have both made appearances. Zidane Iqbal, meanwhile, was named on the bench against Omonia Nicosia, but did not come on.

It is Garnacho, in particular, that has impressed for United in the Europa League. He has played three of the five group stage games, featuring for 78 minutes from the start in the 3-0 win over Omonia Nicosia on October 27 at Old Trafford.

And now, according to reports, another Red Devils youth player might get his first-team bow.

Another Man United youth star training with senior squad

As noted by United in Focus, Tyler Fredricson has been pictured training with the first team prior to the visit to Sociedad.

The 17-year-old centre-back has starred in United's youth teams, and played every game leading up to the final of the 2021/22 FA Youth Cup for the U18 squad. He missed the final through illness.

It is not the first time Fredricson has trained with the first-team squad, as he was on the bench for the reverse fixture at Old Trafford.

He is one of several United academy prospects on their UEFA B list squad. As well as the aforementioned names above, the B list also contains Koibee Mainoo, Radek Vitek, Shola Shoretire and Anthony Elanga.

United are currently short of options at centre-back, with Raphael Varane ruled out of the match through injury and Phil Jones not registered in the squad.

Meanwhile, Harry Maguire played the full 90 minutes in the 1-0 win over West Ham on Sunday, but has himself recently returned from injury. In addition, Victor Lindelof was not named in the squad for that victory due to a minor injury.

Therefore, Fredricson could be in line to play some part in what would surely be considered the biggest game of his career to date.