Striker Will Keane is targeting a place in the Manchester United first team squad following his recall from a loan spell at Preston.
United cut short Keane's season-long loan at Deepdale last week after the 22-year-old had scored two goals in 22 matches for the Championship club.
Keane returned to action for United in their under-21 win over Tottenham on Monday, but could soon be playing first-team football for the club with manager Louis van Gaal short of strikers.
"I think that's the idea of him coming back from Preston, that hopefully he'll be involved with the first team more than the under-21s," United youth coach Tommy Martin said when asked whether Keane would be pushing for a place in the senior squad.
After being named United's young player of the year in 2010, Keane made his first-team debut against Blackburn the following season, but has not played for the club since.
The United academy graduate missed the 2012-13 season with a knee ligament injury and was loaned to Wigan, QPR and Sheffield Wednesday after his rehabilitation.
Another player with his eye on a regular first-team place is Andreas Pereira, who scored twice in the 3-1 win over Spurs at Leigh Sports Village on Monday.
The 20-year-old Brazilian scored against Ipswich on his debut in the Capital One Cup in September, but has played just five matches since.
The midfielder requested to play for the under-21s on Monday to earn some game time, Martin revealed.
"Yes, he is asking to play," he said. "He's a young player, he's part of the first-team squad but not always getting the minutes, so it's vital that he does play for the Under-21s when he gets the opportunity."
Nick Powell, who has played the last three under-21 games, was left out of the squad on Monday.
The midfielder, who is expected to leave United on loan this month, missed the game at Leigh through injury. Martin said: "He's got a calf strain at the moment."