Man Utd star, 18, who has captained at youth level fires first-team warning to Michael Carrick after pre-season heroics

MANCHESTER UNITED youngster Jacob Devaney is on a preseason mission to force his way into Michael Carrick’s plans this season. Devaney, who has captained Manchester United at youth level, is one of the academy’s most consistent performers. Jacob Devaney is determined to do all he can in pre-season to break into Michael Carrick’s plans this season Credit: Getty Carrick will oversee a midfield overhaul at Man Utd this summer Credit: Getty The midfielder, 18, showed his versatility in Helsinki by playing at centre half, keeping a clean sheet in the second half against Wrexham. Despite heavy loan interest following a standout spell at St Mirren, Devaney knows Carrick’s major summer midfield overhaul leaves a clear opening for a rising youth star. Sign up for the Man United newsletter Thank you! Devaney said: “Obviously, I want to play first team football. “Whether that be at United for the next year or not, the main aim and goal for me is to play for Man United week in, week out. “So whether I have to go on loan again and gain more valuable experience like what I have done at St Mirren, that’s what I’ll do. “Or whether that be in the building, learning from the best, which is here at Manchester United, so we’ll see what happens.” Devaney, who is a No8 or a No6, impressed in the 1-0 defeat at Wrexham by shackling EFL stalwart Kieffer Moore. Carrick said: “I was really pleased with the second-half team. Most read in Sport BEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UK Ticket + hotel room for Man Utd games GET tickets to see Man Utd at Old Trafford with our hand-picked deals. The packages include an official match ticket and an overnight stay in a nearby hotel. Man United Home Games⚽ 30 Aug v Ipswich — BOOK HERE⚽ 13 Sep v Manchester City — BOOK HERE⚽ 10 Oct v Tottenham Hotspur — BOOK HERE⚽ 24 Oct v Bournemouth — BOOK HERE⚽ 7 Nov v Aston Villa — BOOK HERE More games available here. *If you click on a link in this article, we will earn affiliate revenue. “JD playing centre-half, it’s not natural to him, he’s played there a little bit, but not a lot and I thought he did ever so well. “He had a really successful few months up there [in Scotland] and it was good to see him kind of take that next step. “And you could see today the confidence and the assurance in his game, even though he was playing a slightly different position.” Devaney explained: “I see myself as a midfielder, but I’m playing for Man United at the end of the day. “So wherever the staff want me to play, I’ll play and I’ll try my best. But yeah, ideally I’m a midfielder by trade. ‘But wherever I’m put on the pitch… I played multiple positions in the last year, two years, and no matter who I’m up against, whether it’s the lads in training or lads like Kieffer Moore, I’ll apply myself. “And I’ll give 100 per cent and I’ll always back myself to come out on top as well.” Pre-season offers Devaney, Dan Gore, and Tyler Fletcher a golden chance to stake their claim for a first-team spot. But there are limited spaces as Carrick completes a revamped midfield unit alongside Andrey Santos, Youri Tielemans, Kobbie Mainoo, and an additional midfield signing. Comment now