Manchester United’s Fletcher twins, Jack and Tyler, are making a big impression on the senior members of the squad, with Moroccan defender Noussair Mazraoui excited by the academy youngsters pushing to become regular first-teamers.
The 19-year-old sons of Darren Fletcher, who represented the Red Devils 223 times between 2002 and 2015, both play in midfield and made their Premier League debuts for the club last season.
Interestingly, Tyler has chosen to play his international football for Scotland and has already made his senior debut, while Jack is an England youth international.
Both Fletchers are with the Manchester United squad in Ireland, where they are preparing to face Leeds United in a pre-season friendly at Croke Park tonight (8.30pm).
And they are not the only academy prospects turning heads.
Alongside the twins are other highly rated youngsters, including 19-year-old attacker Shea Lacey and 15-year-old forward JJ Gabriel, who are also getting an opportunity to show they can mix it with the senior stars.
Mazraoui has been impressed by what he has seen.
“I’m impressed by Shea Lacey, he’s doing a good job,” he told the Manchester United website.
“Both Fletchers as well [Jack and Tyler], really impressed by them.
“Of course, at 15 years old, if you make your debut, not officially yet, but JJ Gabriel, that’s also something not usual.
“It’s good that a club like this, a big club, has Academy players coming up.
“I remember from my time when I was young and experiencing those moments [of coming away on pre-season trips], you see what the future can give you if you really get your chance and go for your chance, so I think that’s also a big motivation.”
For the youngsters, these pre-season trips offer more than just valuable minutes on the pitch. They are a chance to train alongside established stars, learn what it takes to compete at the highest level and, perhaps most importantly, make sure they are not forgotten when the competitive season begins.
United head into tonight’s game after a 1-1 draw with European champions PSG, with Bryan Mbeumo cancelling out Ibrahim Mbaye’s strike.
Before that, they beat Atletico Madrid 2-1 and Rosenborg 5-0, while suffering a 1-0 defeat to Wrexham.
Leeds, meanwhile, arrive in Dublin on a run of three straight victories - beating RB Leipzig 2-0, Liverpool 4-2 and Sunderland 1-0.
They began their pre-season campaign with a 1-0 defeat to Wrexham but have since found their rhythm ahead of the new Premier League season.
After tonight’s encounter, Leeds have one more warm-up fixture against Augsburg before opening their league campaign against Nottingham Forest next Saturday.
United face AC Milan in their final pre-season test at the weekend before beginning their Premier League campaign against Hull City.
For Jack and Tyler Fletcher, however, tonight represents another opportunity to show that the road from United’s academy to the first team is one they intend to travel all the way.
dudley.carstens@nationalmg.co.za