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With Manchester United ’s Europa League qualification already ensured, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has included just four senior players in the club’s travelling squad to face Astana today.
Fourteen players in the squad are still teenagers, while head of first team development Nicky Butt has accompanied them on the trip.
“If our young players are going to learn to play in these European games, I think this is a great start for them,” Solskjaer said ahead of the game when questioned about the strength of his squad. “We’ve got the EFL Trophy but this this is a great chance for me to see them all together.
“It’s the right challenge for these boys now and it’s going to be a good game of football. It’s hard with the young kids to give them enough games against men, professional games.
Meet the exciting crop of youngsters included in Solskjaer’s squad:
Who are United's travelling starlets?Show all 15 1 /15Who are United's travelling starlets? Who are United's travelling starlets? Who are United's travelling starlets? Which youngsters feature in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's travelling squad to face Astana in the Europa League?
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Who are United's travelling starlets? Matej Kovar (19) Joined United in January 2018 from FC Slovacko. The Czech youth international has graduated to the U23s and recently signed a contract extension.
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Who are United's travelling starlets? Max Taylor (19) Was diagnosed with testicular cancer just over a year ago and underwent a nine-week course of chemotherapy. The defender is set to make his debut off the bench.
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Who are United's travelling starlets? Teden Mengi (17) The centre-back has impressed with United's U23s and signed a professional contract this year. Has captained the club through the age groups.
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Who are United's travelling starlets? Di'Shon Bernard (19) Another centre-back impressing with the U23s, Bernard joined United from Chelsea in July 2017.
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Who are United's travelling starlets? Ethan Laird (18) Very highly touted at the club, the full back joined United aged nine and signed his first professional contract just over a year ago. Laird regularly trains with United's senior squad and is an England youth international.
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Who are United's travelling starlets? Dylan Levitt (19) The playmaker has been included in Ryan Giggs' senior Wales side three times. He signed a contract extension this month and is a senior figure in the U23s squad.
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Who are United's travelling starlets? Ethan Galbraith (18) The central midfielder made his senior international debut for Northern Ireland earlier this month after a string of impressive performances with United's U23s.
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Who are United's travelling starlets? Arnau Puigmal (18) The midfielder joined United from Espanyol in July 2017 and has featured throughout Spain's youth age groups. He graduated to United's U23s side this season and has been tested as a right back.
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Who are United's travelling starlets? James Garner (18) One of the most senior figures in United's youth crop, Garner has already made his Premier League and Europa League debut and captained United's youth sides.
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Who are United's travelling starlets? Tahith Chong (19) The Dutch winger joined United from Feyenoord in July 2016 and impressed in the youth divisions with both club and country. Has made his Premier League and Europa League debut but is currently in a contract dispute with the club.
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Who are United's travelling starlets? Angel Gomes (19) Became United's youngest Premier League debutant in over 50 years but has stalled recently. He is yet to commit to a new contract, with his deal expiring this summer, but has produced a number of impressive performances with England's youth sides since winning the U17 World Cup.
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Who are United's travelling starlets? Largie Ramazani (19) Came through Anderlecht's academy before joining Charlton and then United. Has shone with the U21s and U23s since Mason Greenwood's promotion to the senior side, scoring nine goals in 12 appearances.
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Who are United's travelling starlets? D'Mani Bughail-Mellor (19) Signed a professional contract last year and was promoted to the U23s. Has impressed this season with three goals and four assists in seven appearances.
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Who are United's travelling starlets? Mason Greenwood (18) The crown jewel of United's academy, Greenwood has already made a host of Premier League appearances this season and trains with the senior squad. Became Uited's youngest scorer in European competition following his goal in the reverse fixture.
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