The most exciting FA Youth Cup side ever?

lysglimt · 7th February 2012, 20:28

I just glanced through the DOB of our u18 players to see who could participate in next years FA Youth Cup - and that could easily be one of the best youth-sides we have ever had - especially in midfield and attack

We could theoretically have a side with:

Barmby - Rudge - Rothwell - Dæhli in midfield
Januzaj and Ferreira on top

And now I have left out Gorre, Harrop, McNair, Pearson, Byrne and Wilson to mention some.

In terms of pure footballing skills - those 6 is probably the most talented attacking line-up we have had since the Beckham-generation. In my opinion maybe even better than last years winners (but that side had more strength)

Opinions ?

samabachan · 7th February 2012, 20:34

Problem is we have midfielders in defence, midfielders up front and midfielders out wide. At least we have like 4 keepers or something in case 1 gets injured, I guess.

ArmchairCritic · 7th February 2012, 20:34

Last year's side was pretty fuckin' good too, also I assume you mean Pereira not Ferreira. Only time will tell, looks promising on paper though.

ArmchairCritic · 7th February 2012, 20:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by samabachan

Problem is we have midfielders in defence, midfielders up front and midfielders out wide. At least we have like 4 keepers or something in case 1 gets injured, I guess.

Well they do need to be prepared for the First Team don't they

.

forevrared · 7th February 2012, 20:36

It's not incredibly balanced but again at that level I guess you don't have to be. I know it gets said every year, but there's a handful on that lineup that you really get the idea that they could have a career at United.

None of them are actual forwards and only Januszaj is a wide player, but they should be able to out-talent anything that comes before them.

Decotron · 7th February 2012, 21:26

We lack natural strikers at this level and have done for ages...

FlawlessThaw · 7th February 2012, 21:32

What about Sam Byrne? If by Ferreira, lysglimt means Pereira than he's not a striker as by the sounds of it he is best placed as a centre mid.

De Selby · 7th February 2012, 23:30

They've done a lot better than I thought they would.

When I saw them earlier in the season I thought they looked very talented, but weren't particularly well-developed physically (especially compared to last year's group), but they've surprised me with how well they've done. It's another good crop, no doubt about it.

lysglimt · 8th February 2012, 04:59

Yeah - sorry about writing that one wrong...don't know what I was thinking!

Sean_RedDevil · 8th February 2012, 07:53

No the team from last year was much better.

KM · 8th February 2012, 09:03

The thing with last year's team was that all of them were well developed physically. This team whilst being technical still lacks in the physical aspect. However I think the likes of Barmby, Januzaj and Daehli are all excellent players. Januzaj especially I think isn't far off from the talent Morrison possesses. I haven't seen that new PSV Lad play but from what I've read that he's also supposed to be a huge, huge talent. Jack Rudge and Rothwell are also impressive for me particularly Rudge who for me is quite under-rated. In the defense, Blackett is a dead cert to make it and McCollough is also very good.

Josh Harrop and Pearson who is very highly rated by some within the club atleast from the things I've read(which might be wrong), but I haven't seen both of them play too much bar one-two matches, so hard to give a judgement on them.

All in all, I think this side lacks a good striker but potentially this could be better than the last year's team.

MPTutd · 8th February 2012, 09:06

In terms of footballing ability, this years team is indeed very very good. Lots of natural ability.

However, I think the team from two years ago is better than even last years team. It essentially included all the same players (Morrison, Pogba, Tunni, Keane x2 etc), but also had Josh King up front.

FlawlessThaw · 8th February 2012, 10:18

Massive difference between last years team and this one in that last years team were all a year older and essentially 2nd years in their last year in the youth team. This years team, Blackett and Van Velzen aside majority are either first years or in the case of Harrop just schoolboys.

This years team will be much better next year in the hope they fill out physically a bit more.

ArmchairCritic · 8th February 2012, 10:46

When fully fit last years team could have looked like this I think:

Johnstone

M.Keane
Thorpe
Fryers
Blackett

Pogba
Tunnicliffe
Morrison

Cole
W.Keane
Lingard

Correct me if I'm wrong but on paper that's a fabulous youth team, shame Zeki was out for the year.

FlawlessThaw · 8th February 2012, 11:26

All of them except for Blackett were 18 by the end of the season.

dcrompton · 8th February 2012, 11:44

There is a striker called Lawrence who has looked good when I've seen the youth team this year. Not to forget Van Velzen too.

Striker10 · 8th February 2012, 11:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by ArmchairCritic

When fully fit last years team could have looked like this I think:

Johnstone

M.Keane
Thorpe
Fryers
Blackett

Pogba
Tunnicliffe
Morrison

Cole
W.Keane
Lingard

Correct me if I'm wrong but on paper that's a fabulous youth team, shame Zeki was out for the year.

You could put Brady in their somewhere, Cofie and maybe one or two others. The depth was tremendous. Also would Petrucci have made an impact? The potential is great at the minute.

I think it's difficult to say it's the most exciting youth side ever because obviously we've not seen them all but it's fair to say, it's looking healthy.

Decotron · 8th February 2012, 11:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by dcrompton

There is a striker called Lawrence who has looked good when I've seen the youth team this year. Not to forget Van Velzen too.

Hate seeing Van Velzen playing up top. Doesnt suit his natural game at all. He did do a good job up there for the team last year.

marjen · 8th February 2012, 12:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by dcrompton

There is a striker called Lawrence who has looked good when I've seen the youth team this year. Not to forget Van Velzen too.

He's not really a striker though is he?

More of an attacking mid.

Mr Anderson · 8th February 2012, 12:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by FlawlessThaw

What about Sam Byrne? If by Ferreira, lysglimt means Pereira than he's not a striker as by the sounds of it he is best placed as a centre mid.

Byrne is a great shout. Scored twice and was apart of another 2 goals in a 5-2 win for Rep Ireland u17s game against a Portuguese club side yesterday. Looks a good prospect.

lysglimt · 8th February 2012, 18:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by MPTutd

In terms of footballing ability, this years team is indeed very very good. Lots of natural ability.

However, I think the team from two years ago is better than even last years team. It essentially included all the same players (Morrison, Pogba, Tunni, Keane x2 etc), but also had Josh King up front.

Agree with you - what was so fortunate with last years team was that when they had an off-day - they could brush other teams off the park. Pogba, Tunnicliffe, Blackett, Van Velzen, Thorpe etc - they were all big, strong players....

in the team I mentioned with players eligible to play FA Youth Cup next year, there practically isn't a single one who is big and strong. With the skills they have - add some physique to that side and it will be one seriously strong side.

Heffo · 9th February 2012, 14:13

I've always liked the look of Wilson when he's played up front, fast, direct and a good finisher.

Elliott · 9th February 2012, 14:49

Yeah, Wilson looks like quite a prospect. Could be a key player next season.

PS18 · 9th February 2012, 20:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by KM

In the defense, Blackett is a dead cert to make it and McCollough is also very good.

There's really no such thing as a dead cert to make it.

PS18 · 9th February 2012, 20:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by Striker10

You could put Brady in their somewhere, Cofie and maybe one or two others. The depth was tremendous. Also would Petrucci have made an impact? The potential is great at the minute.

Brady and Petrucci were both the year above.

KM · 10th February 2012, 04:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by PS18

There's really no such thing as a dead cert to make it.

I know, but I'm a huge fan of Blackett. What I meant that it's very likely that he's gonna make it, just got a little over-excited!

FlawlessThaw · 10th February 2012, 11:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by KM

I know, but I'm a huge fan of Blackett. What I meant that it's very likely that he's gonna make it, just got a little over-excited!

I must admit amongst all our aspiring young defenders, I have the greatest faith in him. Have more faith in him than Fryers for sure.

cj_sparky · 10th February 2012, 11:35

I think McGinty is a bit of a dark horse.

lysglimt · 10th February 2012, 11:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by FlawlessThaw

I must admit amongst all our aspiring young defenders, I have the greatest faith in him. Have more faith in him than Fryers for sure.

Michael Keane is the one for me ..

RyanGoggs · 10th February 2012, 15:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by lysglimt

Michael Keane is the one for me ..

He was kind of in Will Keanes shadow for a while,just because Will was doing so well but I've heard good things of Michael, particularly this season. I can't remember the last time we had so many young players that I feel could make an impact at first team level. Let's hope I'm right.

Decotron · 10th February 2012, 15:25

Thorpe is still developing everytime I see him. Seems a lot more confident on the ball this season, stepping forward out of defense with the ball regularly.

A diamond in the rough

jb8521 · 10th February 2012, 16:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by lysglimt

Michael Keane is the one for me ..

For me Keane doesnt seem as solid defensively or as much of a natural defender as some of the others like Fornasier and Thorpe but he is better on the ball than the two of them which might be more suited to united and his development both physically and football wise over the past year and a half or so since he started training full time has been incredible

MPTutd · 10th February 2012, 17:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by Decotron

Thorpe is still developing everytime I see him. Seems a lot more confident on the ball this season, stepping forward out of defense with the ball regularly.

A diamond in the rough

Lacks pace in my book.

Has he grown any more. He was always a good size, but not huge.

lysglimt · 10th February 2012, 17:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by MPTutd

Lacks pace in my book.

Has he grown any more. He was always a good size, but not huge.

He isn't quick but he isn't slower than Vidic or Evans....

samabachan · 10th February 2012, 23:29

I don't think any of the defenders now stand out the way Wes Brown and Jonny Evans did at their age. Then again, Tom Cleverley was one of the least impressive in his entire age group even in our youth teams, never mind the country, at the same age, o it just shows what a fools game this prediction lark is.

forevrared · 11th February 2012, 02:55

Cleverley was a left back at that point, wasn't he?

x42bn6 · 11th February 2012, 03:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by forevrared

Cleverley was a left back at that point, wasn't he?

He played left-back and right-back initially, then moved to central midfield, then to the wings, then to attacking midfield...

A complete footballer.

marjen · 11th February 2012, 10:34

Basically a Johan Cruyff in the making.

I thought of the two of them, when I used to follow the reserves a bit closer, Drinkwater was the stand-out actually, even when Cleverley was moved up the pitch.

I remember him scoring an absolute howler at Bolton, but I never thought he'd be the one to make the step-up.

Just goes to show what I know I guess.

Jimy_Hills_Chin · 11th February 2012, 10:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by marjen

Basically a Johan Cruyff in the making.

I thought of the two of them, when I used to follow the reserves a bit closer, Drinkwater was the stand-out actually, even when Cleverley was moved up the pitch.

I remember him scoring an absolute howler at Bolton, but I never thought he'd be the one to make the step-up.

Just goes to show what I know I guess.

You never can tell. I remember watching Gael Katuka for Chelsea U18's on a few occasions and it didn't look like he is was good, it looked like he was truely special. Now he is struggling to make an impression in first team football, most recently being loaned to Ligue 1 relegation fighters Dijion. Granted he is still young but he was a player that I thought it possible for him to be playing at the very highest level by now.

lysglimt · 11th February 2012, 11:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by x42bn6

He played left-back and right-back initially, then moved to central midfield, then to the wings, then to attacking midfield...

A complete footballer.

Cleverley played leftback after coming back from a long time out with a knee-injury. Once he moved to central midfield - he looked quite good and I remember he scoret 2 good goals in an awaygame at Bolton

7th February 2012, 20:28	#1 (permalink)
lysglimt Reserve Team Player Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 2,692	The most exciting FA Youth Cup side ever? I just glanced through the DOB of our u18 players to see who could participate in next years FA Youth Cup - and that could easily be one of the best youth-sides we have ever had - especially in midfield and attack We could theoretically have a side with: Barmby - Rudge - Rothwell - Dæhli in midfield Januzaj and Ferreira on top And now I have left out Gorre, Harrop, McNair, Pearson, Byrne and Wilson to mention some. In terms of pure footballing skills - those 6 is probably the most talented attacking line-up we have had since the Beckham-generation. In my opinion maybe even better than last years winners (but that side had more strength) Opinions ?

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7th February 2012, 20:34	#2 (permalink)
samabachan First Team Sub Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Football is about glory, it is about doing things in style and with a flourish, about going out and beating the lot, not waiting for them to die of boredom Posts: 9,356	Problem is we have midfielders in defence, midfielders up front and midfielders out wide. At least we have like 4 keepers or something in case 1 gets injured, I guess.

7th February 2012, 20:34	#3 (permalink)
ArmchairCritic First Team Sub Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: I am not a liberator. Liberators do not exist. The people liberate themselves. Posts: 6,389	Last year's side was pretty fuckin' good too, also I assume you mean Pereira not Ferreira. Only time will tell, looks promising on paper though.

7th February 2012, 20:36	#5 (permalink)
forevrared Reserve Team Player Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 2,973	It's not incredibly balanced but again at that level I guess you don't have to be. I know it gets said every year, but there's a handful on that lineup that you really get the idea that they could have a career at United. None of them are actual forwards and only Januszaj is a wide player, but they should be able to out-talent anything that comes before them.

7th February 2012, 21:26	#6 (permalink)
Decotron First Team Regular Join Date: May 2007 Location: I am not a man......................I am Cantona Posts: 20,025	We lack natural strikers at this level and have done for ages...

7th February 2012, 21:32	#7 (permalink)
FlawlessThaw most 'know it all' poster Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: London Posts: 19,271	What about Sam Byrne? If by Ferreira, lysglimt means Pereira than he's not a striker as by the sounds of it he is best placed as a centre mid.

7th February 2012, 23:30	#8 (permalink)
De Selby Likes them tattooed and bald Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Look at that fucker Dance. Posts: 4,705	They've done a lot better than I thought they would. When I saw them earlier in the season I thought they looked very talented, but weren't particularly well-developed physically (especially compared to last year's group), but they've surprised me with how well they've done. It's another good crop, no doubt about it.

8th February 2012, 04:59	#9 (permalink)
lysglimt Reserve Team Player Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 2,692	Yeah - sorry about writing that one wrong...don't know what I was thinking!

8th February 2012, 07:53	#10 (permalink)
Sean_RedDevil Twitter bot Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Birmingham + Londinium Posts: 9,977	No the team from last year was much better.

8th February 2012, 09:03	#11 (permalink)
KM First Team Regular Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Q.P.R Posts: 14,862	The thing with last year's team was that all of them were well developed physically. This team whilst being technical still lacks in the physical aspect. However I think the likes of Barmby, Januzaj and Daehli are all excellent players. Januzaj especially I think isn't far off from the talent Morrison possesses. I haven't seen that new PSV Lad play but from what I've read that he's also supposed to be a huge, huge talent. Jack Rudge and Rothwell are also impressive for me particularly Rudge who for me is quite under-rated. In the defense, Blackett is a dead cert to make it and McCollough is also very good. Josh Harrop and Pearson who is very highly rated by some within the club atleast from the things I've read(which might be wrong), but I haven't seen both of them play too much bar one-two matches, so hard to give a judgement on them. All in all, I think this side lacks a good striker but potentially this could be better than the last year's team.

8th February 2012, 09:06	#12 (permalink)
MPTutd Reserve Team Player Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: London Posts: 3,963	In terms of footballing ability, this years team is indeed very very good. Lots of natural ability. However, I think the team from two years ago is better than even last years team. It essentially included all the same players (Morrison, Pogba, Tunni, Keane x2 etc), but also had Josh King up front.

8th February 2012, 10:18	#13 (permalink)
FlawlessThaw most 'know it all' poster Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: London Posts: 19,271	Massive difference between last years team and this one in that last years team were all a year older and essentially 2nd years in their last year in the youth team. This years team, Blackett and Van Velzen aside majority are either first years or in the case of Harrop just schoolboys. This years team will be much better next year in the hope they fill out physically a bit more.

8th February 2012, 10:46	#14 (permalink)
ArmchairCritic First Team Sub Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: I am not a liberator. Liberators do not exist. The people liberate themselves. Posts: 6,389	When fully fit last years team could have looked like this I think: Johnstone M.Keane Thorpe Fryers Blackett Pogba Tunnicliffe Morrison Cole W.Keane Lingard Correct me if I'm wrong but on paper that's a fabulous youth team, shame Zeki was out for the year.

8th February 2012, 11:26	#15 (permalink)
FlawlessThaw most 'know it all' poster Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: London Posts: 19,271	All of them except for Blackett were 18 by the end of the season.

8th February 2012, 11:44	#16 (permalink)
dcrompton Reserve Team Player Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: The Cock of the North Posts: 890	There is a striker called Lawrence who has looked good when I've seen the youth team this year. Not to forget Van Velzen too.

9th February 2012, 14:13	#22 (permalink)
Heffo Reserve Team Player Join Date: May 2010 Location: Ireland Posts: 686	I've always liked the look of Wilson when he's played up front, fast, direct and a good finisher.

9th February 2012, 14:49	#23 (permalink)
Elliott Likes Loan Stickies Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 8,532	Yeah, Wilson looks like quite a prospect. Could be a key player next season.

10th February 2012, 11:35	#28 (permalink)
cj_sparky Reserve Team Player Join Date: May 2008 Location: "At times when I've watched him, I wonder if he's being controlled by a 10 year old in the crowd with a playstation console" Gary Neville talking about David Luiz Posts: 4,068	I think McGinty is a bit of a dark horse.

10th February 2012, 15:25	#31 (permalink)
Decotron First Team Regular Join Date: May 2007 Location: I am not a man......................I am Cantona Posts: 20,025	Thorpe is still developing everytime I see him. Seems a lot more confident on the ball this season, stepping forward out of defense with the ball regularly. A diamond in the rough

10th February 2012, 23:29	#35 (permalink)
samabachan First Team Sub Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Football is about glory, it is about doing things in style and with a flourish, about going out and beating the lot, not waiting for them to die of boredom Posts: 9,356	I don't think any of the defenders now stand out the way Wes Brown and Jonny Evans did at their age. Then again, Tom Cleverley was one of the least impressive in his entire age group even in our youth teams, never mind the country, at the same age, o it just shows what a fools game this prediction lark is.

11th February 2012, 02:55	#36 (permalink)
forevrared Reserve Team Player Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 2,973	Cleverley was a left back at that point, wasn't he?

11th February 2012, 10:34	#38 (permalink)
marjen Reserve Team Player Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: at the back post, lurking around, waiting for an easy tap-in. Posts: 3,625	Basically a Johan Cruyff in the making. I thought of the two of them, when I used to follow the reserves a bit closer, Drinkwater was the stand-out actually, even when Cleverley was moved up the pitch. I remember him scoring an absolute howler at Bolton, but I never thought he'd be the one to make the step-up. Just goes to show what I know I guess.