Levitt to make Red Devils bow

Levitt has been named in the Wales
senior squad three times since May.
(Photo: Getty Images)

Wales midfielder Dylan Levitt will make his Manchester United debut in their UEFA Europa League match away to Astana on Thursday, manager Ole Gunnar Solskjær has confirmed. The youngster, who turned 19 on 17 November, is part of a youthful squad travelling to Kazakhstan's capital, as United attempt to move closer to confirming top spot in Group L.


Levitt has been in good form for the Manchester United under-23s so far this season, and is a player who fans have been calling out to be given a chance in the first team. With the prospect of a seven-hour flight to Nur-Sultan and qualification for the Europa League knockout phase already secure, this game represents a good opportunity to leave regular first-teamers back in Manchester for a spot of recuperation ahead of Sunday's home clash with Aston Villa.

With that in mind, Levitt is one of four players already confirmed to be making his first start for the club on Thursday, along with goalkeeper Lee Grant, and defenders Di'Shon Bernard and Ethan Laird. 36-year-old Grant was signed from Stoke City for £1.5 million in July 2018 and made his only previous appearance in the 8-7 penalty loss to Derby County in last season's Carabao Cup third round, while Bernard and Laird have been regulars in Leasings.com Trophy fixtures for the under-21s.

With Wales having achieved automatic qualification for UEFA Euro 2020 next summer, Levitt will be hoping to use this experience as a springboard to guarantee his place in Ryan Giggs' squad for the pan-European competition, as well as justify the long-term Manchester United contract he signed
earlier this month.