Man Utd academy player nicknamed ‘Our Pedri’ already impressing Michael Carrick and Coaches

Michael Carrick has already taken an interest in the Manchester United academy, and one young player has stood out to him.

It was good to see Michael Carrick showing up at academy matches last week. The previous manager, Ruben Amorim, didn’t really make a habit of checking in on the youth teams.

One performance that caught his eye was Rafe McCormack’s. The midfielder put in a strong shift in front of Carrick during the FA Youth Cup, controlling the game from the middle of the park.

There are plenty of other players in the setup who could also catch his eye as time goes on.

Jim Thwaites already has Michael Carrick’s attention at Manchester United

Few players in the academy can match Jim Thwaites’ technical quality. The midfielder blends a skillset reminiscent of both Paul Scholes and David Beckham.

Carrick was seen as an ideal mentor for Thwaites, someone who could really help him reach his ceiling. And it seems the new manager has already taken notice.

That’s according to insider Sully Talkz, who says Thwaites is nearly ready to return from injury, something Carrick will be keenly anticipating.

Carrick is said to have already taken a liking to the 18-year-old, who is regarded as one of the top technical prospects in the squad and has even drawn comparisons to Pedri.

Thwaites’ impressive training displays have earned plenty of praise within the academy, and his performances in matches have backed up that buzz. First-team coaches had started tracking his progress last season under Amorim, and that focus isn’t likely to change under Carrick—especially with talk of him getting a look-in with the senior squad.

Why Michael Carrick’s style fits so well with Jim Thwaites’ development

Few academy players fit the mould of a Carrick midfielder better than Jim Thwaites, and the pairing could help shape the next era of youth talent at Old Trafford.

Thwaites has always shown an eye for controlling play, something that aligns well with how Carrick approached the game during his own career. The two working together in training could be a natural fit.

Carrick’s role as a club legend mentoring a young midfielder mirrors what we’ve seen elsewhere, like Xavi with Pedri or Guardiola with Iniesta. It’s the kind of story United fans hope to see more of under his leadership.

Thwaites is still making his way back from injury, but there’s already talk about him being given regular minutes for Adam Lawrence’s U21 side. That would put him right in Carrick’s view and increase his chances of a call-up to senior training sessions.

If he does get that opportunity, it will only add to the growing case for keeping Carrick in charge long-term – something fans seem to be warming up to more every week.