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Manchester United fans have reason to be excited after promising youth prospect Callum Gribbin was given a chance to train with the first team by manager Louis van Gaal. He could very well earn a seat on the plane for the Red Devils’ pre-season tour of the United States.
The 16-year-old was a part of United’s first training session of the upcoming season, which featured several senior players who had reported to Carrington after the summer holidays.
The idea of Gribbin being a part of the United States tour doesn’t seem far fetched as he possesses bags of talent despite his tender age. Even if Gribbin isn’t part of the tour, his confidence will sure receive a huge boost as he now has an idea of just how highly the club rates him.
The world witnessed glimpses of his outrageous talent earlier this year after Manchester United uploaded a video clip of the teenager humiliating a host of Aston Villa defenders during an Under-18 game. The left-footed winger can operate in a number of positions and boasts great pace, trickery and superb footwork, earning him comparisons with Ryan Giggs.
Gribbin has featured heavily for United’s Under-16 team and even scored twice against Hull City in the fourth round of the FA Youth Cup last season. The youngster even played ahead of his age group when he featured for United’s Under-21 team in the 3-1 drubbing of Manchester City in the ‘Mini Derby’ this May.
Van Gaal looking to nurture Gribbin’s talent
An eye catcher from a young age, Gribbin put in a classy performance during his time with the United Under-13 team, scoring a brace against Ajax as a part of legendary Manchester United goalkeeper Edwin Van Der Sar’s testimonial celebrations back in 2011.
However, things haven’t been all rosy for Gribbin, who got into hot water with his coaches after venting his frustration of not been given a starting berth in a match against City on social networking site Twitter.
Concerns even arose about the possibility of the youngster making a switch to United’s arch-rivals Liverpool, but this latest piece of news has seemingly shot down that rumour. By giving Gribbin a chance, Van Gaal has taken a big step in his pledge to evaluate a host of Manchester United youngsters as possible squad members on tour.
Youngsters James Wilson, Tyler Blackett and Paddy McNair, were all given a taste of first-team by action by the manager last season, and Gribbin could be the next youngster to emerge from the youth team. The youngster has also represented England at Under-16 and Under-17 levels.
