Youngster Devaney focused on making it at Man Utd

Jacob Devaney is happy to go out on loan again this season if it helps his career, but his main focus remains on making it at Manchester United.

Devaney, 19, had an outstanding second half of the campaign at St Mirren, making 18 appearances, including starting both legs of the play-off final with Partick Thistle as the Buddies secured their top-flight status.

Decisions are still being made around which United youth players will be in Michael Carrick's first-team squad at Old Trafford this season and Devaney was part of a second-half team that came exclusively from the club's academy against Wrexham in Helsinki on Saturday.

"The main aim for me is to play for Manchester United week in, week out," said Devaney, a Republic of Ireland Under-21 international.

"Obviously, I want to play first-team football, so whether that is at United, learning from the best, for the next year or if I have to go on loan again and gain more valuable experience, like I did at St Mirren, that's what I'll do."

Although Devaney featured in his preferred central midfield role for St Mirren, he returned to central defence, where he was skipper for United's Premier League 2 side last season, against Wrexham.

It meant coming up against experienced Wales forward Kieffer Moore, so Devaney was pleased United were able to keep a second-half clean sheet.

"It goes without saying he's a big physical threat," said Devaney. "He's had a good career.

"It's nice to test yourself against someone like him in games like that.

"I played in multiple positions in the past year or two. No matter who I'm up against, whether it's the lads in training or lads like Kieffer Moore, I'll apply myself, give 100% and always back myself to come out on top."