Ten Hag must now present Man Utd's “next youth project”.

Manchester United will once again be separated from their biggest rivals, Manchester City, in the Community Shield on Saturday at Wembley Stadium. The English club's opening game of the season will see the two teams meet at the 90,000-capacity stadium in North London for the second time in as many games.

Their final game of the last campaign saw the two Mancunian teams face off at Wembley, also in the FA Cup final. That was a game in which the Red Devils ran out 2-1 winners, thanks to goals from academy graduates Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo. Two years ago, the young duo were part of the team that won the FA Youth Cup – others are on the rise.

Mainoo's breakout season in 2023/24 for the Red Devils saw him make 33 appearances, and he became an integral part of Erik ten Hag's midfield. His performances were so good that he was able to secure a place in England's Euro 2024 squad, where he ended up starting for the Three Lions, too.

The Red Devils are expected to be few in attendance at Wembley on Saturday, and Ten Hag confirmed his team's news in a press conference before the game on Friday.

The United Dutch manager, who is about to enter his third season at Old Trafford despite coming close to sacking last season, confirmed key club news in a press conference ahead of the season-opening Manchester Derby.

Much of this has to do with United's defence, where they are already struggling with injury problems and players returning to the club not fit after international competitions. One of those players is Harry Maguire. Ten Hag explained that the former United captain is a “question mark for Saturday” after missing the end of the pre-season tour through injury.

Maguire's centre-back partner, Victor Lindelof, could also be a doubt for the game due to injury and is not thought to have traveled to London. However, he is not the only Swede who has not taken this trip. Two of United's most experienced full-backs, Luke Shaw and Aaron Wan-Bissaka, have also not left, as reported by UtdDistrict.

Shaw looks set to be fit after playing a limited role at Euro 2024, meaning 17-year-old defender Harry Amass could start. Wan-Bissaka is days away from moving to West Ham, which may be the reason for his absence from the team.

In other United squad news, new centre-forward Joshua Zirkzee could start on the bench against City. This comes after Ten Hag confirmed that United will “need time to fit him in” as he adapts to his new club following his move from Bologna.

Ten Hag may start Man Utd vs Man City debutant

Another shock move Ten Hag could pull off ahead of the Community Shield is starting 20-year-old midfielder Toby Collyer. The former Brighton academy player was on the bench at the end of last season and played a key role in all of the Red Devils' pre-season games.

Given United's injury problems at centre-back on Saturday, Brazilian midfielder Casemiro could slot in at centre-back, a role he played seven times last season amidst injury trouble. This could open up Colyer to slot into United's midfield.

The promising youngster could follow in Mainoo's footsteps and become “Ten Hag's next youth project” as football analyst H explained to X. He has a number of impressive attributes that make him fit to play in midfield for the Red Devils against City.

United's number 43 is built into the ball, acting like a metronome in the center of the park. While he doesn't do anything fancy, he does the basics to a very high standard, a desirable trait on Ten Hag's part.

He is also confident in receiving the ball under pressure, able to receive the ball at the back of the four and turn his back on the defenders to advance United, which H also reveals in his post to X. This is not really a profile. United have a number six in their squad, so it also makes him important to the Red Devils.

Off the ball, the former Seagulls star, who joined in 2022 from South Coast, also played well thanks to his long legs, which enabled him to win the ball.

However, H points out in a separate post what makes him such a good school prospect to be promoted to United's first team. In particular, it is the midfielder's “positional, tactical and communication awareness” that impresses in midfield, especially in build-up situations.

For someone so young to understand the game at such a level is also an important feature to have. The Ten Hag may not be concerned if they have to put Collyer directly in midfield against City, given his understanding of the game and talent on and off the ball.

The Dutchman is certainly not afraid to give a chance to a young player. Ahead of last season, United fans saw Mainoo play a key role in the USA tour as did Collyer, with only injury derailing his path to the first team. They may be looking at the England international's second return in that sense.

In Colyer, United could have their next star academy graduate, and although it could be a baptism of fire, a first-team opportunity against City on Saturday would be an excellent opportunity to give him a competitive debut.