Manchester United youngster James Nolan trains with first-team

Manchester United academy product James Nolan trained with the first team at the weekend despite being just 17 years old.

Nolan was born in Chorley and he's a natural right-back, but he played in multiple different roles for the Under-18s last season and his progression has been rewarded with the opportunity to train with the first-team. It's understood Erik ten Hag takes an active role in deciding which academy youngsters train with the first team.

The majority of Nolan's U18 teammates played a friendly against non-league Gainsborough Trinity, with Teden Mengi captaining the side, on Saturday afternoon, but he trained with the first team instead of playing in that match.

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Nolan made a total of 26 appearances across all competitions in the academy last season. He played in every league game for Travis Binnion's U18 side and he played a key role as the team finished third in Premier League North table.

The club's youngsters are often played in different positions to help their development and understanding of the game and the versatile Nolan played as a right-back, left-back, centre-back, defensive midfielder and right-winger.

The 17-year-old captained the side on numerous occasions and he started in both of the Reds' FA Youth Cup games.

Nolan should feature for the Under-21s in the new campaign and he's expected to settle in a position sooner rather than later.