Manchester United have added 17-year-old midfielder Jayce Fitzgerald to their Europa League ‘B’ list following interim manager Ruud van Nistelrooy’s recent national caps.
The ‘B’ list allows clubs to use an unlimited number of domestic under-21 players in UEFA competitions, and those in this category do not need to be on the limited ‘A’ list.
Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo are both on the ‘B’ list this seasonalthough left-back Harry Amass, 17, had to go on the ‘A’ list because he only joined the club in 2023 – the requirement for inclusion on the ‘B’ list is two years uninterrupted since the age of 15.
Fitzgerald started this season with United’s under-18s but was selected into the first team by Van Nistelrooy and has been on the bench for the Dutchman’s two games in charge so far.
The young all-rounder could now keep his place for a third game in a row Thursday night visit of PAOK to Old Trafford. Should he make his debut, Fitzgerald would become the 252nd graduate from the club’s academy to feature in a first-team game.
Ethan Wheatley was milestone number 250 towards the end of last season, while Toby Collyer was the last home debutant when he came off the bench in the Community Shield in August.
Jack Fletcher, the son of united legend Darren, is another academy youngster hoping to make his bow to the first team after recent experiences with the senior matchday squad. The 17-year-old has been an unused substitute in Erik ten Hag and Van Nistelrooy’s last three Premier League games, as well as against Leicester City in the Carabao Cup. The day before the Chelsea game, he scored and assisted in 45 minutes in a Premier League 2 defeat at the hands of Sunderland.
