Update: The 11 Manchester United academy players who have been on the bench and could next make their debut News

Tyler Fredricson became the 254th Man United academy graduate in the 1-0 defeat to Wolves at the weekend.

955 days after he was first named on the bench, Tyler Fredricson made his Manchester United debut on Sunday.

Fredricson, 20, was first listed on the teamsheet against Real Sociedad in the Europa League in September 2022. His steady debut against Wolves was an acknowledgement of Fredricson’s seniority.

He had only made the bench three times this season before his sudden start at the weekend. Godwill Kukonki, a fellow centre half, has been an unused substitute six times and was on the bench as recently as last week’s uproarious recovery against Lyon.

Eleven United academy players have been unused substitutes under three different managers this season. A glance at the youngsters suggests there is sometimes often no rhyme or reason behind their temporary promotions.

United have five Premier League games left and their progression to the Europa League semi-finals has increased the likelihood of more debuts. United play away at Brentford at 2pm on Sunday week in between their two-legged tie with Athletic Bilbao. There is every chance that Ruben Amorim will field an entirely different XI 64 hours after full-time in the Basque Country.

The United Under 18s failed to reach the FA Youth Cup final and they trail Manchester City by five points in the U18 league table, albeit with a game in hand but only three fixtures left.

Here are the academy members bidding to debut over the next five weeks:

Jack Fletcher, unused substitute vs Brentford, West Ham, Leicester, Chelsea, Tottenham, Arsenal and Real Sociedad

The son of United first-team coach Darren has been an unused substitute more than any of his academy teammates this season. As a No.10, he could struggle for a look-in as United have a surfeit of senior options for the two playmaker roles behind the striker. The fit-again Mason Mount has still not started a match since December 15 and Amorim seems to favour Kobbie Mainoo in a more advanced role.

Joshua Zirkzee’s season-ending hamstring injury offers Fletcher, 18, some hope of emulating his father before the end of the season. Harry Amass made the bench 17 times before his debut at Leicester City last month.

Habeeb Ogunneye, unused substitute vs Fenerbahce

Ogunneye was a borderline ever-present during the run-in last season amid United’s injury crisis. He was listed as a substitute nine times by Erik ten Hag and his last first-team involvement was under the former United manager in Istanbul back in October.

The change of managers appears to have ended Ogunneye’s chances of more first-team exposure. There is no pictorial evidence in United’s archive that the 19-year-old Londoner has trained under Amorim.

Jayce Fitzgerald, unused substitute vs Leicester, Chelsea and PAOK

The 17-year-old came and went within eight days. Fitzgerald was an incongruous inclusion in Ruud van Nistelrooy’s first three games in caretaker charge and he has not been seen since. Fitzgerald, 17, last played for the under 18s in February.

Godwill Kukonki, unused substitute vs Arsenal, Newcastle, Southampton, Manchester City, Lyon away and Lyon home

Fredricson’s start was partly a surprise as centre back Kukonki has been on the bench twice as often. Kukonki is 17, though, which again suggests that Amorim favours seniority when push comes to shove.

Elyh Harrison, unused substitute vs Crystal Palace, Ipswich, Real Sociedad away, Arsenal, Real Sociedad home and Leicester City

Harrison is the best ‘keeper in the United academy and came close to being thrown in at the deep end at Leicester City when Andre Onana suffered an eye problem on the eve of the game. Amorim was still expected to turn to the older Dermot Mee had Onana not recovered. Harrison nor Mee have made the bench since.

Sekou Kone, unused substitute vs Tottenham, Everton and Nottingham Forest

If or when Kone makes his debut, United will confirm whether he counts as an academy graduate. Kone represented the academy in the Uefa Youth League, so should qualify on those grounds even though the midfielder was not considered an academy signing when he joined the club in August.

Will Murdock, unused substitute vs Fulham

Goalkeeper Murdock entered the first team dressing room for the FA Cup fifth round tie as United had three goalies injured and Harrison was cup-tied, having played for Chester FC on loan.

Dermot Mee, unused substitute vs Real Sociedad away, Arsenal, Real Sociedad home and Leicester City

The reserve team ‘keeper is already 22 and has been training with the first team for a few years. Mee made the bench for the home win against Everton last season.

Jack Moorhouse, unused substitute vs Arsenal and Lyon home

At 19, midfielder Moorhouse is one of the older academy bench-warmers. United could turn to some of their callow midfielders due to a dearth of options in that area and the recent injury to Toby Collyer.

James Scanlon, unused substitute vs Real Sociedad

One of a handful of United academy players to make his debut for his country first. The Gibraltar international has had an excellent season for the under 18s and figured on United’s pre-season tour, where he filled in at left back. The 18-year-old winger claimed two hat-tricks for the academy against Blackburn Rovers and Leeds United this term.

Jaydan Kamason, unused substitute vs Lyon away and Lyon home

Kamason was one of the unsung heroes of the Youth Cup run to the semi-finals. The 18-year-old right back was instrumental in the 5-1 thrashing of Chelsea in the fifth round and he scored a belter in the quarter-final triumph at Arsenal.

Amorim’s hint that he would rest Diogo Dalot against Wolves fuelled the possibility that Kamason could be upgraded from substitute to starter. But he was not even in the matchday squad for Sunday’s loss.