Jacob Devaney is determined to do all he can in pre-season to break his way into Michael Carrick’s thinking for this upcoming season.Devaney, who has captained Manchester United at youth level, is one of the academy’s most consistent performers and he showed his versatility in Helsinki by playing at centre half.While there is significant loan interest in Devaney, who excelled on loan at St Mirren in Scotland last season, the young Irishman knows that there is a spot for a youth midfielder in Carrick’s plans as part of this summer’s major midfield overhaul.For Devaney, there is no reason in his mind that it can’t be him.’Obviously, I want to play first team football,’ Devaney said. ‘Whether that be at Man United for the next year or not, the main aim and goal for me is to play for Man United week in, week out.’So whether I have to go on loan again and gain more valuable experience like what I have done at St Mirren, that’s what I’ll do, or whether that be in the building, learning from the best, which is here at Man United, so we’ll see what happens.’ Jacob Devaney (left) is determined to make a strong case to impress Michael Carrick (right)Devaney impressed in the 1-0 defeat at Wrexham by shackling EFL stalwart Kieffer Moore and drew plaudits from United staff given he traditionally plays as a defensive midfielder.’I see myself as a midfielder, but I’m playing for Man United at the end of the day,’ Devaney added.’So wherever the staff want me to play, I’ll play and I’ll try my best. But yeah, ideally I’m a midfielder by trade.’But like I said, wherever I’m put on the pitch… I played multiple positions in the last year, two years, and no matter who I’m up against, whether it’s the lads in training or lads like Kieffer Moore, I’ll apply myself and I’ll give 100 per cent and I’ll always back myself to come out on top as well.’Pre-season is a golden opportunity for Devaney, Dan Gore, and Tyler Fletcher to make their case to be the young midfielder integrated into the first team group, going along with Andrey Santos, Youri Tielemans and Kobbie Mainoo, plus the expected arrival of a third midfield signing this summer.Carrick and his staff’s assessment of these players goes way back to last season travelling up and down the country to see them in academy matches.While Devaney spent the back half of last season out on loan, the presence of Carrick has been a hot topic of conversation among the youngsters.’It’s really important,’ he said of Carrick’s faith in academy players.’We speak about it as a group. It’s great to have Michael there at the games and even like we was in training a week before the first team and I think he was out at every session with the staff. The United academy prospect did well up against a strong Wrexham side in a Helsinki friendly’So it’s nice to know that he takes knowledge of what you’re doing and he’s obviously not afraid to throw to youth in, he’s shown that in the last year. So yeah, it’s positive to have someone like him in the building.’It is now a waiting game to see if Devaney will still be in the building come the end of the transfer window.Interest in him is stacking up but Devaney is still pushing to make his case at United. One to watch, most definitely.