Jacob Devaney is determined to do all he can in pre-season to break his way into Michael Carrick's thinking for this upcoming season. Devaney impressed in the 1-0 defeat at Wrexham by shackling EFL stalwart Kieffer Moore and drew plaudits from United staff given he traditionally plays as a defensive midfielder.
In Saturday’s pre-season friendly against Wrexham in Helsinki, Carrick made 11 changes at half-time and fielded a side for the second half made up entirely of players who have represented the club’s academy. Devaney was among them, dropping back from his preferred midfield role to play alongside Dan Armer in the centre of defence, and the 19-year-old said he and his team-mates value the manager’s interest in their development. "I thought me and Dan dealt with him well," he said. "It goes without saying he’s a big physical threat. He’s had a good career. But I thought we dealt with him well as a pair, and it’s nice to test yourself against someone like him in games like this. "Wherever I’m put on the pitch, I played multiple positions in the last year, two years, and no matter who I’m up against, whether it’s the lads in training or lads like Kieffer Moore, I’ll apply myself and I’ll give 100 per cent, and I’ll always back myself to come out on top as well."
Despite heavy loan interest following a standout spell at St Mirren, Devaney knows Carrick’s major summer midfield overhaul leaves a clear opening for a rising youth star. "(It’s) really important," Devaney said. "Obviously I want to play first-team football, whether that be at Manchester United for the next year or not," he said. "The main aim and goal for me is to play for Manchester United week in, week out. "So whether I have to go on loan again and gain more valuable experience like I did at St Mirren, or whether that be in the building, learning from the best which is here at Manchester United, we’ll see what happens."