Manchester United have avoided a further midfield blow over one of the club’s most talented young midfielders.
Last weekend was not a kind one to Manchester United, with Kobbie Mainoo suffering an injury in training, just as an avenue to the first team was opening up.
Then in the game with Aston Villa, Bruno Fernandes suffered an injury that could keep him out for around a month.
Two days prior to the Villa game, Manchester United’s under-21s beat Borussia Dortmund 2-0 in a fixture at Old Trafford, with Gabriele Biancheri netting twice.
The only downside was the injury to under-21 captain Jacob Devaney, who had to be treated by staff and was taken off in the opening minutes.
Who should now be Man Utd’s top transfer target in January 2026?
After missing out on Antoine Semenyo, who should Manchester United be targeting?
Getty Images
👇 Join the debate; share your insight. Use the comment button on the bottom left to have your say
Jacob Devaney boost
Devaney was filling in a right-back in the game against Dortmund, but his preferred role is as a central midfielder.
According to The Mail, Devaney is already back in training at Carrington, as his injury was only an impact knock.
Photo by Poppy Townson – MUFC/Manchester United via Getty Images
Devaney avoiding serious injury is great news for him, and a potentially useful development for Manchester United’s first team.
Jack Fletcher and Shea Lacey have just stepped up to make their debuts, and Devaney has earned the right to be considered too.
Devaney was a key part of the under-18s team that won the league title in 2023/24, and he has continued his progress since.
Most recently, Devaney represented the Republic of Ireland at under-21 level, recently starring in a game against England.
Devaney has been adding goals to his game this season too, recently netting after an impressive solo run, in a game against Notts County.
He has four goals and one assist to his name in 2025/26 so far, and was recently lauded as the best young midfielder at the club.
Making the step up to the first team still looked unlikely this season, but with injuries to Fernandes and Mainoo, there could be an opportunity.
It would have been devastating for Devaney if an injury had denied him the opportunity to at least compete.
HAS Ruben Amorim proved concerns over his academy usage wrong after debuting Jack Fletcher and Shea Lacey?🤔
These were his fourth and fifth academy debutants in 13 months…
Getty Images
👇 Join the debate; share your insight. Use the comment button on the bottom left to have your say
Academy options being considered to solve crisis
While the transfer window may provide a chance to refresh the midfield, not many fans have faith that Manchester United will have anybody signed in time for January 1.
And in any case, United have two matches in December remaining, taking on Newcastle and then Wolves.
Jack Fletcher and Shea Lacey will likely remain in the mix, while Devaney could come under consideration.
The Mail report that more academy call-ups will be considered, with United looking for solutions for the midfield problem.
Sekou Kone and Jayce Fitzgerald are two more options who started in midfield against Dortmund and both impressed last week, while Tyler Fletcher could come under consideration too.
Join Our Newsletter
Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox