Will Fish has handed some strong words of advice to his fellow Manchester United youngsters. While everyone's pathway is different, the centre-back feels he has benefited hugely from two loan spells at Hibernian in the Scottish Premiership. Such experience has enabled him to smoothly slot into Erik ten Hag's side during pre-season, coming on as a half-time substitute with Jonny Evans in the 3-2 win over Real Betis to replace Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof.
Harry Amass started at left-back, setting up our first goal for Amad, while James Scanlon, Sam Murray, Maxi Oyedele, Sam Mather, Toby Collyer and Ethan Wheatley all got minutes in San Diego.
United defender Will Fish explains how it feels to be in our senior squad in the States...
Only one loan move has, so far, been completed in advance of the new campaign, with striker Joe Hugill completing a season-long switch to League One side Wigan Athletic.
However, as is the norm, there could well be more outgoings on a temporary basis to help accelerate the educational process for certain individuals.
Indeed, Amad, who has been outstanding in the friendlies and on Tour 2024, presented by Snapdragon, really came of age during his loan spell at Sunderland in the Championship.
The Importance of Loan Spells
"Massively," Fish replied, when asked by MUTV how much he had benefited from the loans in Edinburgh. "And you know, I say to the young lads all the time, who haven't been on loan yet, that's what you have to do."
"I think if, unless you're breaking through here, the comparison from Academy to men's football is so far apart. And I feel like I'm in a much better place now than I was two, two-and-a-half years ago. So I think it's vital that you get that experience at a young age."
"It's like just little things in the game that I've picked up. Maybe, you know, over the past two years on loan, just sort of being more streetwise and how to play against better players and more physical players. So, like I say, I think it's so beneficial that young lads go on loan and get the experience like I did really."
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Learning from a Veteran
Playing alongside Evans certainly helps any young player and Fish admitted the words of support and tips from the Northern Ireland defender are invaluable.
"Well, you obviously both have to speak to each other," said the 21-year-old. "But, you know, even before the game, he's giving me bits of advice which I take on board and I'm grateful for."
"So, to play with someone like Jonny, I've played a few times with him now, it's a really good experience and just positive things come from it."
It is Liverpool next for the Reds, live on MUTV, at the weekend (kick-off 00:45 BST on Sunday) and the composed centre-back is eager to make the most of any more opportunities.
Embracing the Challenge
"You know, you're at one of the best clubs in the world," he declared. "And to be out here in America, it's a surreal experience. So you take each day as it comes and just do your best. That's all you can do."
"People who know me, that's how I take life [in my stride]. I don't really get too high or too low, and I think that helps in football at times."
"Sometimes, you obviously need to be more up for it and, you know, times like that, I can be. But I try not to think about it too much and just take each day as it comes."
The best images from the contest for the Snapdragon Cup in San Diego.
Our no.16 was in fine form against Real Betis and is itching to earn his opportunities this season for the Reds.
Erik outlines exactly what he wants from his side after a confident display against Real Betis in San Diego.
A Life-Changing Experience
Manchester United Foundation participants have enjoyed six days of football and enrichment activity across Switzerland and Germany as part of the Scort Foundation’s special youth camp.
Eight students from two of our partner SEND [special educational needs and disabilities] schools were selected to represent Manchester United on the European stage, spending six days in the company of fellow young people from six other clubs in Germany and Switzerland.
The young people wore the Manchester United shirt with distinction and pride across three days of football training activity, before mixing with participants from other clubs for a EURO 2024 themed football tournament, held at the training facility of Swiss side, FC Basel.
The participants also took plenty of enjoyment from a wide variety of additional activities - including a visit to Rötteln Castle in Germany, zip-wiring and climbing in a nearby forest, a stadium tour of FC Basel’s St Jakob-Park and letting loose in a water park.
See how our Foundation's participants have enjoyed representing Manchester United in Switzerland this summer...
There were also many more activities that brought together young people from all participating clubs (FC Basel, FC Basel Nordstern, FC Köln, FSV Mainz, Bayer Leverkusen and Werder Bremen) for social and team-building opportunities.
“We’ve linked up with the Scort Foundation and the Football Club Social Alliance for the second year in a row, playing alongside unfamiliar participants and developing new life skills,” said Conor Muldoon, SEND Schools Coordinator for the Foundation.
“Some of the young people have never been out of the country before, so it’s taking them out of their comfort zone, which is great for their own development. It allows them to create new friendships with other participants from different clubs and get an understanding of different cultures. It’s making memories that will last for a lifetime.
“These eight students have represented Manchester United to the highest order. They have been excellent and professional throughout, and they’ve engaged throughout the whole week, showing great enthusiasm and character, allowing them to interact with other participants and staff from different teams.”
Gallery | Flick through these snaps from the continent as Foundation participants wore the Red shirt with pride.
Scort Foundation is a charity based in Basel, Switzerland and, like Manchester United Foundation, was first founded in 2007 - harnessing the power of sport to improve the lives of young people.
The annual special youth camp has been running for much of that time, with the Foundation now represented for two years in succession.
Paula Zucker, Junior Project Manager for Scort Foundation, said: “Even with the different languages, it was amazing to see how the kids mixed up and the solidarity they showed.
“This isn’t just another football camp, it’s for kids with disabilities and special educational needs. They can just come and spend a week here and they will be taken care of, they will mix with other kids and they will have this experience, which is completely new to them. They don’t have many chances to do that, so it’s important for us to continue doing that.
“The camp is benefiting personal and physical development to a very great extent.”
A Foundation partner SEND officer works year-round in each of our eight partner SEND schools, with two of those schools - Brentwood Special School and Chatsworth High School - represented on the trip to Basel.
As part of the experience, students were accompanied by school staff and the two Foundation partner SEND officers who are based in Chatsworth and Brentwood throughout the year.
Alice Docherty, sixth form coordinator from Brentwood Special School, said: “This year, we decided to give this opportunity to a group of four female students and I wasn’t sure what the girls would make of the experience, but it has been transformational, they’ve done us as a school and Manchester United Foundation so proud.
“The independence they’ve shown, not only on the football pitch, but through getting to know students in the other European teams, watching those friendships form without language or disability being a barrier, it was an amazing thing to see.”
The former Red spent a fun-filled morning at one of our Foundation's partner SEND schools.
Louis, a student from Chatsworth High School, added: “I’ve liked making new friends, which makes me happy. We’ve done football and I think I’ve got better - kicking, dribbling, passing and a tournament with other football teams, it was good. I joined in with new people.”
For more information about the Foundation’s disability and inclusion work, click here to find out more.
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