Manchester United include 16-year-old in first-team training after scoring two wonder goals

Jim Thwaites trained with Manchester United's first-team at Carrington on Wednesday, despite being just 16 years old.

The highly regarded Thwaites was among the academy players drafted into the session to make up numbers ahead of facing Brighton, with his inclusion feeling significant given his age. Thwaites is considered as one of the academy's leading prospects in his age group and won the club's Goal of the Season award for both Under-16 and Under-18 level last term.

The youngster's goal for the U18s was particularly important because it provided a late equaliser against Derby in added time. The U18s drew that game 2-2 thanks to Thwaites' goal in the dying seconds and his strike ensured their unbeaten record in the league continued.

ALSO READ: United agree sale of first-team defender to Championship club

ALSO READ: United player has accidentally found new strongest position

The U18s' unbeaten run in the league was eventually ended - they lost just two games all season - but they still strolled to the title, finishing six points ahead of Manchester City.

The youngsters scored 78 goals during their winning Premier League North campaign and it's understood coaching staff at City acknowledged United's quality. City's U18s had won the league for four successive seasons and their staff privately conceded United had been a cut above last term.

Thwaites predominantly played for the U16s last season, but he made nine appearances for the U18s and was given two substitute appearances for the Under-21s. He is expected to be given a prominent role in Adam Lawrence's U18 side this season and the opportunity to join in with first-team training on Wednesday was recognition of his progress.

Sky has slashed the price of its S