Then in the game with Aston Villa, Bruno Fernandes<\/a> suffered an injury that could keep him out for around a month<\/a>.<\/p>\n Two days prior to the Villa game, Manchester United\u2019s under-21s beat Borussia Dortmund 2-0 in a fixture at Old Trafford, with Gabriele Biancheri<\/a> netting twice.<\/p>\n The only downside was the injury to under-21 captain Jacob Devaney<\/a>, who had to be treated by staff and was taken off in the opening minutes.<\/p>\n Who should now be Man Utd\u2019s top transfer target in January 2026? <\/p>\n After missing out on Antoine Semenyo, who should Manchester United be targeting?<\/p>\n \ud83d\udc47 Join the debate; share your insight. Use the comment button on the bottom left to have your say <\/p>\n Jacob Devaney boost<\/p>\n Devaney was filling in a right-back in the game against Dortmund, but his preferred role is as a central midfielder.<\/p>\n According to The Mail<\/a>, Devaney is already back in training at Carrington, as his injury was only an impact knock.<\/p>\n Devaney avoiding serious injury is great news for him, and a potentially useful development for Manchester United\u2019s first team.<\/p>\n Jack Fletcher and Shea Lacey<\/a> have just stepped up to make their debuts<\/a>, and Devaney has earned the right to be considered too.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Most recently, Devaney represented the Republic of Ireland at under-21 level, recently starring in a game against England<\/a>.<\/p>\n Devaney has been adding goals to his game this season too, recently netting after an impressive solo run<\/a>, in a game against Notts County.<\/p>\n He has four goals and one assist to his name in 2025\/26 so far<\/a>, and was recently lauded as the best young midfielder at the club<\/a>.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n It would have been devastating for Devaney if an injury had denied him the opportunity to at least compete.<\/p>\n HAS Ruben Amorim proved concerns over his academy usage wrong after debuting Jack Fletcher and Shea Lacey?\ud83e\udd14 <\/p>\n These were his fourth and fifth academy debutants in 13 months\u2026<\/p>\n \ud83d\udc47 Join the debate; share your insight. Use the comment button on the bottom left to have your say <\/p>\n Academy options being considered to solve crisis<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n And in any case, United have two matches in December remaining, taking on Newcastle and then Wolves.<\/p>\n Jack Fletcher<\/a> and Shea Lacey<\/a> will likely remain in the mix, while Devaney could come under consideration.<\/p>\n![\"Transfer](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/UIF-53-819x1024.png\")
Getty Images <\/p>\n![\"Manchester](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/GettyImages-2243193622-1024x683.jpg\")
Photo by Poppy Townson \u2013 MUFC\/Manchester United via Getty Images<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/UIF-38-819x1024.png\")
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