Manchester United striker scores brace in Wales win over Switzerland

Things have become quiet in the Manchester United echo chamber of late as many of Michael Carrick’s men are spending time with their respective nations on March international duty.

Let’s not forget, though, that in terms of what needs to happen between now and the end of the season, it is beyond crucial for the Red Devils to secure Champions League football.

Not only will it provide the club with a massive financial boost moving forward but it’ll also make them a more attractive prospect when it comes to enticing players in the summer.

For now, with a home fixture against Leeds United on the horizon, Carrick has very few players at the club’s training base.

That is because they are spread around all corners of the world to represent their countries – from Matheus Cunha and Brazil turning out for Brazil to Noussair Mazraoui playing for Morocco.

Players being on international duty is also the case for Manchester United youngsters, who are all finding their feet in the world outside of club football.

This season, the academy has been taken to a new level and Louie Bradbury is a name that is catching the attention of many – and that’s largely thanks to his innate ability to find the back of the net.

Earlier this month, it was announced that Bradbury – who is still just 17 years old – was named in Wales’ MU18 squad for their opening round of the 2026/27 UEFA U19 EURO qualifiers.

And the young centre-forward has ensured to repay the faith of Jon Grey, the head coach, by bagging twice in Wales’ recent win over Switzerland.

Lured away from Shrewsbury Town in early 2023, Louie Bradbury has been a goal-getting sensation since his arrival.

So much so that he made his debut for the Under-21s at the tender age of 16.

That milestone came after scoring a hat-trick for the Under-16s… which occurred just ten days before he made his first start for the Under-18s against Wolverhampton Wanderers. He, as exepected, scored that day too.

International exposure is sometimes exactly the springboard required to take a young player’s career to the next level – but those at Old Trafford will be keen to keep Bradbury’s feet on the ground.

Lethal in front of goal, Louie Bradbury picked up where he left off when returning from injury in the latter stages of 2025 by scoring for both the Under-18s and Under-21s.

At the time of writing, the teenage sensation is just a first-year scholar at the Theatre of Dreams but if he keeps on scoring goals at such an alarming rate, a fast-track to senior football could be on the cards.