Manchester United have a long and proud tradition of promoting their youngsters to the senior side at the right time, and another could be set to make the jump.

Michael Carrick has included 18-year-old centre-back Dan Armer in the matchday squad for their UEFA Champions League encounter against Atletico Madrid.

The youngster has steadily climbed through the ranks at Carrington, showcasing composure on the ball and physical maturity that caught the eye of the senior coaching staff ahead of their crucial European trip to Spain.

He already played for Carrick's side in pre-season, and the manager is fully aware of the capabilities of the young defender.

Meet Dan Armer, the 18-Year-Old Center-Back Catching Michael Carrick's Eye

Born in October 2007, teenage prospect Dan Armer is a left-footed centre-back who has earned praise within Manchester United's academy for his exceptional distribution, physicality, and aerial duel success across multiple youth levels.

The teenager progressed through the youth ranks at Carrington before signing his first professional contract last year.

He played a key role for Darren Fletcher's U-18 side as they reached the final of the FA Youth Cup, featuring as they lost the final to Manchester City.

He was captain of the team in that game, which also featured the likes of JJ Gabriel and Noah Ajayi for the Red Devils.

Standing at 6ft 4in tall, Armer is a Scotland youth international despite having been born in England, as his parents are of Scottish heritage.

He played 136 minutes across four pre-season games this summer, including one where he came up against Leeds United striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

Armer has been likened to former club captain Harry Maguire due to his physique, and the experienced defender has praised him in the past for the quality that he showed in pre-season.

He makes Carrick's squad in the absence of Luke Shaw and Kobbie Mainoo, both of whom suffered injuries against Tottenham Hotspur last weekend.

His inclusion in the senior matchday squad marks a massive milestone in Armer's fledgling career, offering him invaluable firsthand experience of elite European preparation.

Carrick Explains Armer Inclusion in Manchester United Travelling Party

Manchester United boss Michael Carrick has not been shy to trust the youth at the club, provided that they are at the level required to make a mark in first-team football.

Young winger Shea Lacey is a prime example of this, as was 15-year-old JJ Gabriel before he decided to exile himself from the team.

The Englishman told reporters that his discussion to name Armer in the squad is for the youngster to benefit from the exposure to the game and its accompanying atmosphere.

"I think it's good for the likes of Dan to be part of it and the young players to sample it in these type of nights, the build-up to the game, being around the group, get a sense of it, get a feel for it."

From Carrick's comments, it is easy to infer that Armer will not get a playing brief unless an extraordinary situation unfolds at the Metropolitano.

The youngster is still behind the likes of Maguire, Leny Yoro, Lisandro Martinez, and Ayden Heaven in the pecking order for the game in Madrid.

Armer being handed a spot in the Champions League travelling party proves to youngsters at the club that hard work in the academy translates into tangible opportunities under first-team management.