Four Manchester United youngsters train with first team ahead of Southampton fixture

Four Manchester United youngsters trained with the first team on Friday as Erik ten Hag's side prepared for their Premier League clash against Southampton on Sunday.

The Reds host the Saints at Old Trafford, hoping to get back to winning ways in the Premier League after being thrashed 7-0 by Liverpool last weekend. Ten Hag's men responded to the defeat with a convincing 4-1 win over Real Betis in the first leg of their Europa League last-16 tie on Thursday night.

United are still without several first-team players through injury, with Marcel Sabitzer, Christian Eriksen and Donny van de Beek still sidelined. Therefore, Ten Hag has had more opportunities to invite some of the club's promising youngsters to train with the senior side at Carrington in recent weeks.

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Ahead of the clash with the Saints this weekend, academy stars Sam Murray, Omari Forson, Marc Jurado and Dan Gore were part of the training squad. While Kobbie Mainoo and Zidane Iqbal were also in action at United's training base, the duo have become first-team training regulars.

Murray joined United in 2021 and played every single game as the U18s reached the 2022 FA Youth Cup final. No player has made more appearances for that age group this term.

Meanwhile, Forson, who joined the club as a schoolboy, has played 16 times in the Premier League 2 this season, registering eight goals and two assists. 18-year-old Jurado has made 18 appearances in the same competition so far this campaign, recording seven goal contributions.

Gore has featured in both the U18 Premier League and Premier League 2 this season, with the former Burnley man impressing from midfield for the Reds.

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