Middlesbrough youngsters are set to be given a great chance to impress Michael Carrick.
Michael Carrick has not been shy about giving young players a chance in the first-team squad since his move to the Riverside Stadium in October 2022.
Hayden Hackney is a regular starter and one of Middlesbrough’s best academy graduates in recent years.
Outside of the Redcar-born star, several more academy products have been handed their debut under the former Manchester United ace.
George McCormick was praised after breaking into the senior side in pre-season and was given his first start when Middlesbrough beat Leeds United 3-0 in the Carabao Cup last month.
Now, a whole host of Boro youngsters will be given a new chance to stake a claim for a starting berth in the first team next month when the National League Cup kick-offs.
The new competition between the Premier League and National League sees 16 National League sides and 16 Premier League 2 teams compete in a cup that begins next month with a four-game group stage.
Boro’s U21 team will take part and the competition is expected to help several fringe academy graduates show exactly what they can offer Carrick.
National League Cup is great for Middlesbrough gem Law McCabe
Law McCabe was handed his senior debut last season, coming off the bench in a 4-0 win over Preston North End.
The 18-year-old then made his first start on the final day of the 2023/24 campaign versus Watford.
McCabe was handed a new contract in July and has since been in and around the senior set-up over the summer and in the early stages of the current season.
However, he is yet to feature in the Championship this term, with his only outing so far a 78-minute appearance when Stoke City smashed Middlesbrough 5-0 in the second round of the Carabao Cup.
As a result, this new competition will be the perfect chance for the teenager to garner more minutes and potentially earn more football for Boro in the league this season.
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How Michael Carrick should use Law McCabe
Middlesbrough signed Aidan Morris from MLS outfit Columbus Crew during the summer transfer window.
With Jonny Howson injured, the American has formed a great partnership at the heart of Boro’s midfield.
Outside of Hackney and Morris though, the Teessiders are lacking any real quality depth in that area.
Dan Barlaser was poor against Preston North End when he covered for Morris after his late return from international duty earlier this month.
In turn, it seems obvious that should McCabe start to impress in the National League Cup, he will be the perfect third-choice central midfielder for Boro this campaign.
And with Howson out of contract in July next year, Carrick should look to start integrating McCabe into the first team more this year as he could already have the perfect replacement for the Boro captain on his hands.