Bruno Fernandes identifies Man United youngsters to watch out for

Bruno Fernandes has identified James Garner and Anthony Elanga as Manchester United stars of the future.

Garner, 20, enjoyed loan spells at Watford and Nottingham Forest in the Championship last season and could make his full Premier League debut for the club this term after two substitute appearances to date, while Elanga made his mark on just his second first-team appearance with the opener in the 2-1 season-ending win at Wolves in May.

Both players have featured in pre-season and Fernandes, who has returned to the club after a summer representing Portugal at Euro 2020, told United's official website that he has been impressed by the pair.

'Jimmy Garner, I think is a really good player, I really like him and the way he kicks the ball. He's really aggressive off the ball too.

'Elanga was already playing with us and this pre-season he has been brilliant. He's a nice kid, works hard and is really humble and I think he's deserving of everything that's happening to him. I see a brilliant future for him and Jimmy too, and also for all the other kids.'

Teenager Elanga has been particularly impressive in the lead-up to the Red Devils' top-flight opener against Leeds on August 14, starting and scoring in the 2-2 draw with Brentford and also featuring against QPR and Derby.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's men next face Everton on Saturday in their final warm-up game before the season properly gets underway against Marcelo Bielsa's side, with the Norwegian harbouring title aspirations.

'I feel us and Chelsea have spent well, worked well and we should look at ourselves as potential challengers,' he said.

'It feels like this season coming up is one of the strongest Premier League seasons. Of course it's been City and Liverpool fighting it out for a few years. Anyone who ends up above last year's champions will be champions.

'I'd rather be an optimist and be wrong than be a pessimist and be right. Of course these boys can, with a maximum effort and maximum sacrifice. We want to start winning trophies and we've laid the foundations.'