Man Utd promote 17-year-old wonderkid to squad at last-minute ahead of Europa League clash against PAOK
MANCHESTER UNITED have added academy starlet Jayce Fitzgerald to their Europa League squad.
The Red Devils are set to welcome Greek side PAOK to Old Trafford this evening.
On September 4, United were required to submit their 25-man “List A” Europa League squad to Uefa.
Throughout the group stage, however, further players can be be made eligible if they meet certain criteria.
Uefa rules state: “A player may be registered on List B if he is born on or after 1 January 2003 and has, since his 15th birthday, been eligible to play for the club concerned for any uninterrupted period of two years.
“Or a total of three consecutive years with a maximum of one loan period to a club from the same association for a period not longer than one year.”
Clubs have until midnight prior to matchday to add players to List B.
With Fitzgerald, 17, fitting the bill, he has been added to United’s squad and will be eligible to feature this evening.
The academy starlet has been introduced to the Red Devils’ first team set-up since Ruud van Nistelrooy took caretaker charge.
He was an unused substitute as United beat Leicester 5-2 in the Carabao Cup, in what was Van Nistelrooy’s first game.
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Fitzgerald was again named on the bench for last weekend’s 1-1 draw with Chelsea in the Premier League.
The youngster has shown his versatility for United’s Under-18s this season.
He has featured in midfield and at centre-back.
While he has also been deployed as a No10 and even a right-back during Under-18 Premier League games.
Fitzgerald was in action yesterday as Man Utd’s Under-19s beat Lithuanian side Zalgiris Vilnius in the Uefa Youth League.
He should still be relatively fresh, however, having been withdrawn at half-time.