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The impact Marcus Rashford had on Manchester United last season means the spotlight is trained ever harder on the next batch of youngsters learning their trade at Carrington.

Jose Mourinho famously claimed he has handed 49 academy products their senior debuts so the race is now on to make it 50.

United's new manager took a close look at a few youngsters in pre-season, and will have started forming an opinion on which players he can count on over the next few months as he plots his assault on trophies at home and abroad.

But some have done more than others to convince him that they deserve a place in his immediate plans.

Axel Tuanzebe

An 18-year-old defender raised in Rochdale, Axel Tuanzebe might consider himself unlucky not to have added his name to the list of debutants under Louis van Gaal.

He was named on the bench against Crystal Palace last October, but an ill-timed injury curtailed his hopes of a first-team bow in 2015/16. However, this coming campaign should yield better fortunes for the Congo-born teenager.

The defender was given some minutes in Mourinho's first pre-season friendly and after that composed cameo against Wigan , his manager was effusive in his praise, saying: "With Axel, ten minutes is enough. The potential is there, you can see it immediately."

One of the only youngsters taken to China, centre-back is an area where United are not blessed with strength in depth, and Tuanzebe could benefit.

Callum Gribbin

If Callum Gribbin was attempting to catch Mourinho's eye in pre-season, a magnificent solo goal against Barcelona's u19s to win the semi-final of the Otten Cup was the ideal way to do it.

A familiar name for two seasons even though he is only now 17, United were relieved to hold onto Gribbin last summer as he signed a new contract amid interest from rivals Liverpool and City.

The playmaker is always eager to receive the ball and dictate the game, and his prowess with a dead ball often punishes defenders who mis-time a challenge around the edge of the area.

He made his u21 debut while still eligible for schoolboy football, and although Mourinho has multiple options available in his position, Gribbin is a hugely exciting prospect.

Ro-Shaun Williams

Teenage centre back Ro-Shaun Williams is blessed with multiple attributes that will be attractive to Mourinho.

A physical defender, he's also comfortable on the ball and playing out from the back, but his frightening pace ensures he can match his opposing attackers for speed.

As a schoolboy, he broke the 100m sprint record at Ashton-on-Mersey school that had stood for 25 years and was held by Olympic sprinter Darren Campbell.

It's his natural defensive abilities that have caught the eye though, and his u21 debut at the age of just 16 was one hint that the academy has another special talent on their hands.

Another who made the bench under van Gaal but didn't manage to take the next step before the summer arrived, he's one for Mourinho to keep close tabs on.

Joe Riley

Blackpool-born defender Joe Riley has already made his first-team bow under Louis van Gaal as a half-time sub for Cameron Borthwick-Jackson in the FA Cup at Shrewsbury, and subsequently earned a start against FC Midtjylland - the start of Rashford's party.

The teenager has been at United since the age of six, and after playing in midfield in his youth is now making a name for himself as a defender - he was used as a left back by Van Gaal but has featured at right full back for the reserves in pre-season.

Riley wasn't taken on the senior trip to China, but he has been training with the first team back in Manchester.

Full-backs will be key under Jose's system, and the pecking order on the right is far from certain, so there's a good chance for Riley to sneak into the manager's plans.

Demetri Mitchell

A bit of a wild card, Demetri Mitchell certainly has the talent to succeed, and if he can focus on his football he has a great chance at a successful career.

Mitchell has had trouble with injuries over the past two campaigns and was out of contract in the summer, but it was no surprise to see the forward offered a new deal and subsequently return to the fold in pre-season.

A tricky winger with bags of pace and an eye for goal, he has also featured up front for United's youth sides - and that versatility could help him make the initial breakthrough.

An England youth international who was part of the squad that won the u17 Euros in 2014, if he can avoid more time on the sidelines Mitchell can expect great progress this term.