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Manchester United have promoted Indy Boonen to their Under-23 squad for Friday night's trip to Chelsea.

Boonen, 17, missed the Under-18s' entertaining derby draw with City last week but has travelled with interim U23 coach Nicky Butt's squad down to Aldershot's Recreation Ground.

The Belgian has excelled for the United U18s this season, scoring six goals and providing four assists in his 13 appearances, and he is set to become the latest teenager to be drafted into the U23 set-up.

Callum Gribbin, also 17, played for the U23s against Reading last week and academy head Butt could give more U18 regulars chances in the second string. Sam Johnstone's 18-year-old brother, Max, joined from Fleetwood in the summer and is also in the squad to face Chelsea.

Boonen might also be allowed to hone his fitness ahead of the Youth Cup tie against Southampton at Old Trafford on Monday night.

The U23s have struggled this season due to a depleted squad and influential coach Warren Joyce left last month to become Wigan manager. United are eighth in Premier League 2 and have won just three of their 11 fixtures.

Butt has presided over a defeat to Sunderland and the draw with Reading since he replaced Joyce on an interim basis.

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