Ireland U21 star Jacob Devaney has been left out of the Manchester United squad travelling to Stockholm for Saturday’s friendly against Atletico Madrid.
Devaney has been given a chance with the senior team by Michael Carrick in pre-season, and impressed out of position in their first pre-season friendly against Wrexham.
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Even better was his second outing against Rosenborg, which saw Devaney score his first senior goal for United just two minutes after being introduced off the bench in Norway.
Both Carrick and senior United players have praised Devaney and the cohort of youngsters who have burst into the squad in the absence of the side’s World Cup players.
Despite that, Devaney is absent from the 23-man squad announced for Saturday’s friendly against Atletico Madrid.
Jacob Devaney left out of Manchester United squad
Michael Carrick’s squad for Manchester United v Atletico Madrid was named on Friday afternoon, but Ireland’s Jacob Devaney was absent from the 23-man selection.
His omission from a stretched squad in favour of other inexperienced midfielders and defenders such as Jaydan Kamason and the Fletcher brothers has not gone down well with United supporters on social media.
No Devaney ?
β Gerges shafik (@Gergesfigo) July 31, 2026
Jack over Devaney
EWilliams over Chido
idk how i feel about that https://t.co/nKAS9YoZ7O
β Zirkzeason (@Zirkzeason) July 31, 2026
No jacob devaney???
β Malixe π³π΄ (@Mal1xe) July 31, 2026
Weird …..wonder why Chido, Devaney and maybe Gore have not travelled.. they had good games and considering we are short in numbers it would do them some good…
β Shem (@ShemGich) July 31, 2026
Where is Jacob Devaney
β ππππ£π£. (@hudzzinho) July 31, 2026
Jacob Devaney didnβt make the list but somehow Jack Fletcher did π€£ this club is not serious
β Muchachoπ°π΄ (@Utd_Devotee) July 31, 2026
Expected Devaney to travel.. mmmhh.. pic.twitter.com/e3xpdffcm6
β Shem (@ShemGich) July 31, 2026
Surely Devaney ahead of one of the fletchers
β Jimmy (@Jimmymac1010) July 31, 2026
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However, it appears as though the simple explanation is that Devaney is likely to line out for United’s U21s in their game against Altrincham on Friday evening.
Several Manchester United first-team players have returned to the squad after the World Cup, with Amad Diallo and Altay Bayindir set for their first involvements this pre-season.
With that in mind, Tyrone Marshall of the Manchester Evening News reported that Devaney, as well as fellow youngsters Toby Collyer, Dan Gore, and Chido Obi, are all in line to play for the U21s against Altrincham, explaining why the quartet are missing for the trip to Stockholm.
Nonetheless, the outcry from many United fans over Devaney’s omission speaks volumes to how much the 19-year-old has impressed thus far in pre-season.
Born in Barnsley, Devaney is eligible for United through his Dublin- and Mayo-born grandparents, and has represented Ireland at U19 and U21 levels. He spent the back half of last season on loan at Scottish side St Mirren, where he became an instant fan favourite.
With Manchester United bringing a diminished squad to Sweden, there could be a first-team debut on the cards for Irish-eligible JJ Gabriel, who has been named among the forwards.
Irish fans of Manchester United will certainly hope that Jacob Devaney is back in the fray by the time they face Leeds United in next month’s pre-season friendly against Leeds United at Croke Park.
The last Irish player to line out for United in a senior competitive game was Robbie Brady in September 2012.