Manchester United produces many great talents, who have made
or have the potential to make headlines all over Europe. The perfect example
being the famous Class of 92’ graduates, namely Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, David
Beckham, Nicky Butt, Gary Neville and Phil Neville. All of them were champions
and important players for United and went on to win loads of silverware with
the club. After their retirement, they have also become successful in the
various fields, like, Beckham is a global icon, celebrity and MLS team owner,
Giggs is the Wales national team manager, Phil Neville is the England Women’s
team manager, Gary and Scholes are excellent football pundits and co-owners of
Salford F.C and finally Nicky is the head of United’s Academy. Current United
manager, Jose Mourinho, is not well known for promoting youth in his career, but,
managing United, a club known for his history of youth development, may have made
him change his ideology. Just ask Scott
McTominay!
The 21-year-old youngster has had a break-through 2017/18
season with United and is the perfect example of a player who became a somebody
from a nobody in the reserve squad. The player has made himself one of the most
important players and the go-to-man for Mourinho in the past weeks, when majority
of the midfield were either injured or out of form. He gradually became a squad
regular with his dynamic performances in midfield and recently made his
international debut for Scotland, the side which he represents, having snubbed
England. The rise of McTominay justifies that United’s academy is not failing
and it produces fine, talented individuals who have the potential to play with
the first team and kick-off their careers. McTominay also gives hope for other
players waiting for an opportunity to make their mark. Let’s analyse who deserve
and who have the potential to make it to the top.
To start things off, we should first know that there are
couple of youth players who are already drafted in the first team, but, are
getting minimal or no chances to play. Them being, Joel Pereira and Angel
Gomes. Joel Pereira, United’s 3rd
choice goalkeeper is a great talent and highly regarded by Jose. In his case,
it is clear that it is a tough life being a goalkeeper at United when you have
the best goalkeeper in the world, David De Gea and arguably the best back-up
goalkeeper in the world, Sergio Romero, ahead of you in the pecking order. Joel,
has hardy played for United this season. His only appearance has come as a
cameo in the Carabao Cup and games in the pre-season, along with bench roles
during domestic cup games when De Gea is rested. However, Joel is included in all
match-day squads only to be used as practice goalkeeper, a principle that
Mourinho likes, but doesn’t make the 18-man squad. It is fair to say that at
21, Joel is gradually getting wasted and his talent is not used to the fullest,
even though the manager regards his fellow country man highly. Romero too is
restricted to only cup games, despite being the Argentina number 1 for obvious
reasons, David De Gea. Joel should be given more competitive minutes which he deserves.
Considering Romero’s undecided future and should he leave, Joel should be the second
in command. The last thing we want is for him to become the next Sam Johnstone
and get loaned out to numerous clubs and eventually getting his career ruined
before it even starts.
The second on our list is Angel Gomes. The 17-year-old
wonder kid, is tearing up the footballing world with his maturity and skill with
United. He is the main player for the under-18s and under-23s this season. His performances
led him to sigh a new deal with club, when the whole world was after his signature,
including Barcelona and Dortmund. He is already a member of the first team,
having being drafted in all competitions, but never being selected. His only minutes
with the first-team came against the 4-0 win over Yeovil Town in the FA Cup,
where he came on for Marcus Rashford in the 88th minute and nearly
scored seconds after coming on. He also added dynamism in those two minutes
which led to two more goals. He is of the best talents in English football and
better and more mature than his seniors and team mates at a slender age of 17. He
certainly deserves more minutes in the first-team next season. Gomes has scored
5 goals and assisted 4 for the youth side. This is less as compared to his
stats last season i.e. 12 goals and 6 assists and 5 goals for the England youth
team of which he is the captain.
Next on our list is Tahith Chong. The 17-year-old Dutch wonder kid, set England
alight straight after arriving from Feyenoord last season. An excellent dribbler
of the ball and deadly finisher, Chong is a natural winger who can play on
either wing. His unpredictability and long shots. He has impressed at all youth
levels and has scored 5 goals and assisting 1, less as compared to his 8 goals
and 8 assists last season, owing to an injury.
The other players who have the potential or are the ones to
watch next season are a bunch of talented youngsters who are:
Luca Ercolani:
The 18-year-old Italian plays as a centre back in the under-23s
and under-18s. He has got good height and is an intelligent defender. He has
been an important player for the academy. He may not be ready for the first team
but, has the potential to make it.
Joshua Bohui:
Bohui, the 19-year-old has caught the eyes of the managers with
his performances for the under-23s this season. A creative minded midfielder
who loves to start counters is definitely a one to watch out for next season. He
could be in line for a first-team call up.
Callum Gribbin:
One more attacking midfielder, Gribbin 19, has being playing
exceptionally well for the under23s this season. Great on the counter and can
pass the ball very well.
Mason Greenwood:
The most talked about prospect in the last few weeks,
Greenwood is on fire this season and has scored many match wining goals this
season at under-18 level aged 16. He is one for the future.
Other Ones to Watch.
Aliou Taoure
Aidan Barlow
Indy Boonen
Nishan Burkart
Arnau Puigmal
Millen Baars
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