S Poddar
Manchester United has upped its teams for the Europa League with seven players added to the list of B team players. The addition, comprising a set of club-trained UFAs who meet the standards under UEFA rules and regulations, gives coach Erik ten Hag some choices as his team takes on FC Twente at Old Trafford tonight.
The B register is a tool for clubs to add players born on or after 1 January 2003 who have been with the club for two consecutive years. Of these, more than the mandated 25-man roster can be chosen. Teams could theoretically accrete players ad infinitum over the course of a season, but paperwork must be filed with the league office before midnight CET on the day before a match.
The new signings have given the manager options as it is tonight that Ten Hag’s former club, FC Twente, is scheduled for kickoff at 20:00 BST. Some of the recognized faces among the newcomers include Kobbie Mainoo and Alejandro Garnacho-two young stars that are now making ripples in senior football. Both were important in helping Manchester United win over Manchester City last season’s Emirates FA Cup final at Wembley, with both getting on the scoresheet.
Garnacho has also made his mark in the European competition. He scored his first goal at the senior level during a Europa League match against Real Sociedad during November 2022, winning an important match away. The inclusion on the B list actually reflects the continued development and further relevance of the youngster to the team.
Another exciting one is Toby Collyer. The young midfielder, who made his Premier League appearance at Anfield for the Reds against Liverpool, adds more depth to the squad. Accompanying Collyer in midfield are two other Academy products in Dan Gore and Sam Mather. Gore made his first appearance of the season, coming off the bench in an EFL Trophy match against Doncaster Rovers and captaining the Under-21 side in an exciting 3-3 draw. Mather scored an opening goal and truly shows promise going forward.
Louis Jackson, a defender who, too, featured in that Doncaster match, has also made himself on the B list. Jackson was the same replacement who knocked in a last-minute equalizer from the bench to force United to win the penalty shootout and take an extra point in the EFL Trophy competition. Leadership qualities through defensive play already saw Jackson stand out in the Scotland Under-19 national team.
Another current product is Ethan Wheatley, who was listed in the extended squad. The young striker appeared considerably during the game at Doncaster, scoring one of the penalties in the shootout. Having made three appearance appearances in the 2023/24 season Premier League, young striker Ethan is being gradually involved with the first team under Erik ten Hag. His name included in the B list, the club trusts him to make significant contributions in competitions in Europe.
Although any Europa League team is permitted to use only five substitutes in a match, UEFA permits teams to nominate up to 12 players on the bench. This means Ten Hag can ideally rotate his team more effectively as they go through the competition, hence providing young talents with more opportunities to prove themselves in European soil.
That these young players fall into a great tradition in Manchester United-a manner in which it develops homegrown talents and then gives them the platform to shine in the biggest of arenas-is what makes it sweet. Players such as Garnacho, Mainoo, and Wheatley represent the future of the club and have already shown that they would not shatter under pressure whenever called to the main.
Now, as United kick off their campaign in the Europa League, these new faces in the B list will only add more depth and provide flexibility with the squad, ensuring competition up to the end of the tournament. The first test for Erik ten Hag and his boys would be FC Twente, and many options would be at his disposal for making a good start through this European project.
B-List Players of the Europa League
- Louis Jackson
- Toby Collyer
- Dan Gore
- Kobbie Mainoo
- Sam Mather
- Alejandro Garnacho
- Ethan Wheatley
Of course, they will really give this required depth and add to the team as Manchester United looks to dominate the Europa League. These young ones form part of the will of the club, which is training and integrating local talent into the team.
