Manchester United are known for their promotion of academy graduates, there is one academy graduate, in particular, who deserves his chance this season and it isn't Kobbie Mainoo.
Erik ten Hag has tried to give academy players chances wherever possible. Whether it's Kobbie Mainoo in pre-season, Alejandro Garnacho, or Dan Gore in the Carabao Cup, the Dutchman hasn't been afraid to give youngsters their chance.
There is one man, however, who deserves his chance sooner rather than later otherwise, United might slip into the same trap as they did with Angel Gomes or Paul Pogba.
The pair failed to get first-team chances and eventually saw their contracts run down before leaving on a free which was disastrous.
The man in question is Isak Hansen-Aaroen. The Norwegian midfielder joined United's academy back in September of 2020.
United have made a strong recruitment drive at academy level in recent years and these decisions are beginning to bear fruit at Old Trafford.
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At just 19 years of age, Hansen-Aaroen has a lot of time to grow and develop but he should be given his chance in the United first team sometime this season.
The future of a few United midfielders are in doubt next summer, Donny van de Beek and potentially Christian Eriksen could be on their way out of the club.
As a result of this, a new midfielder will need to be targeted. Perhaps giving the Norwegian a chance to flourish in the early stages of the FA Cup, when there is little to no pressure on the side's results, could be a positive.
The midfielder has similar creative tendencies to that of Arsenal midfielder Martin Odegaard, who is now captain of the Gunners.
Hansen-Aaroen has already impressed the manager As mentioned, the Norwegian midfielder could replace Van de Beek if Ten Hag wants to explore the route of using an academy graduate in and around the first-team squad.
The money for replacements next summer will not be endless, so using academy graduates in place of these experienced stars will supplement the squad and will also excite the United fanbase.
It seems that the young midfielder has already impressed Ten Hag, too.
Speaking after his side's 2-0 win in pre-season over Leeds United, the Dutchman was full of praise for the teenage attacking midfielder who laid on an assist for Joe Hugill, so a start may not be too far away.
"He did well, making a good pass for the first goal," the United manager said to the Manchester Evening News. "He's really comfortable on the ball; he has good vision and good scanning.
"Of course, he's a young player, he has some deficits he needs to work on, which we will show him and tell him (about) and we will work with him to improve him."
Hansen Aaroen's previous ratings (via Sofascore)