United's youth recruitment of late

[Bastian]

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Isak Hansen-Aaroen 16 year old Norwegian forward from Tromso
Alejandro Garnacho 16 year old Spanish striker from Atletico
Alvaro Fernandez, 16 year old Spanish left back from Real
Marc Jurado 16 year old Spanish right back from Barca
Radek Vitek 16 year old Czech goal keeper from Sigma Olomouc
Joe Hugill 16 year old English forward from Sunderland

And Mejbri last season. Back on track with the academy. Possibly the most positive thing about United since SAF. Hope we keep this up.

 

[VorZakone]

But...are they any good?

 

[AltiUn]

We've signed talented youngsters from Europe for years now, it's not a new thing. You might argue the quality of the recruits has improved but that remains to seen.

Neville, Bejger and Mastny in 18/19. Kovar, Galbraith, Ramazani, Traore, Puigmal, Baars and Bernard in 17/18. Chong, Burkart, O'Connor, Ercolani, Fojticek and Bohui in 16/17. You get the picture.

 

[Bastian]

Mejbri is obviously a huge talent and likely destined for big things. Hansen-Aaroen is very highly rated and has been for a while now, despite his tender years. Both the Spanish full backs were spoken of as big talents, especially Fernandez. Not too clued up on Vitek, and Garnacho, but if these reports are true, he's sought after by quite a few top clubs.

Are they any good.. They are 16 and very highly rated. Unless you're talking generational superstars, it's hard to make definitive judgments. We've been in the wilderness for quite a while when it comes to youth recruitment and ambitious work on the academy.

 

[Bastian]

We've signed talented youngsters from Europe for years now, it's not a new thing. You might argue the quality of the recruits has improved but that remains to seen.

Neville, Bejger and Mastny in 18/19. Kovar, Galbraith, Ramazani, Traore, Puigmal, Baars and Bernard in 17/18. Chong, Burkart, O'Connor, Ercolani, Fojticek and Bohui in 16/17. You get the picture.

How many of them were recruited from elite clubs, or beating competition from other top clubs, or a 10m buy like Mejbri?

 

[Giggsy13]

We've signed talented youngsters from Europe for years now, it's not a new thing. You might argue the quality of the recruits has improved but that remains to seen.

Neville, Bejger and Mastny in 18/19. Kovar, Galbraith, Ramazani, Traore, Puigmal, Baars and Bernard in 17/18. Chong, Burkart, O'Connor, Ercolani, Fojticek and Bohui in 16/17. You get the picture.

But we had fallen behind city and Chelsea in this regard. Nicky Butt deserves some credit bringing in some highly regarded youngsters. Hannibal with the greatest name and potential amongst them.

 

[limerickcitykid]

How many of them were recruited from elite clubs, or beating competition from other top clubs, or a 10m buy like Mejbri?

Virtually all of them.

 

[AltiUn]

But we had fallen behind city and Chelsea in this regard. Nicky Butt deserves some credit bringing in some highly regarded youngsters. Hannibal with the greatest name and potential amongst them.

I'm not saying Butt doesn't deserve credit, just that this has been going on for years. Puigmal was considered the crown jewel of Espanyol's academy when we signed him, Chong a super talent, O'Connor one of Ireland's best talents etc. We've not just started signing highly regarded young players in the last year.

 

[Giggsy13]

Mejbri is obviously a huge talent and likely destined for big things. Hansen-Aaroen is very highly rated and has been for a while now, despite his tender years. Both the Spanish full backs were spoken of as big talents, especially Fernandez. Not too clued up on Vitek, and Garnacho, but if these reports are true, he's sought after by quite a few top clubs.

Are they any good.. They are 16 and very highly rated. Unless you're talking generational superstars, it's hard to make definitive judgments. We've been in the wilderness for quite a while when it comes to youth recruitment and ambitious work on the academy.

Mason and Rashford say hello.

Our academy is still producing first team regulars, we can’t expect a class of 92 again but as long as a few of these youngsters can make it through then we’re doing a better job than most of our rivals. The fact young Spaniards are willing to leave their country to join our set up speaks volumes.

 

[Giggsy13]

I'm not saying Butt doesn't deserve credit, just that this has been going on for years. Puigmal was considered the crown jewel of Espanyol's academy when we signed him, Chong a super talent, O'Connor one of Ireland's best talents etc. We've not just started signing highly regarded young players in the last year.

We are getting more of these young talents, which is a good sign and naturally increases the odds that you’re going to strike gold with one or more of them. Hannibal is making a lot of noise already and is already being touted to have some first team appearances this year.

 

[Tiber]

We are signing a lot of people but I have no idea if they are shite or amazing.

I remember when we signed Pique and Rossi at virtually the same time, good players....not that it did United much good.

 

[crossy1686]

Mejbri is obviously a huge talent and likely destined for big things. Hansen-Aaroen is very highly rated and has been for a while now, despite his tender years. Both the Spanish full backs were spoken of as big talents, especially Fernandez. Not too clued up on Vitek, and Garnacho, but if these reports are true, he's sought after by quite a few top clubs.

Are they any good.. They are 16 and very highly rated. Unless you're talking generational superstars, it's hard to make definitive judgments. We've been in the wilderness for quite a while when it comes to youth recruitment and ambitious work on the academy.

Mejbri is getting more attention but Galbraith is better. Garner and Levitt are both better than the pair of them also but they do have a few years on them. It's going to be interesting to see if any of them break through because our CM positions looks set for a long time now, especially if Pogba signs a new deal.

We may end up with a midfield of Pogba, Fernandes, VDB, Levitt and Garner, Mejbri, Galbraith, McTomminay on the bench. Would be amazing to be honest and just show's how much money we've pissed up the wall in the last few years.

 

[Bastian]

Virtually all of them.

If you're saying it, I might have to take your word for it. I don't remember reading about so many promising players joining us in short succession, from big clubs, and sought after by many others. Maybe it's laziness on my part, I'm not too clued up about the hype at the time for those clusters of players in the years before Ole came in, vaguely remember Puigimal was rated, and TFM.

@Giggsy13
Rashford and Greenwood are obviously in a different class, but they're much earlier recruits, academy players from the very start.

 

[AltiUn]

Mejbri is getting more attention but Galbraith is better. Garner and Levitt are both better than the pair of them also but they do have a few years on them. It's going to be interesting to see if any of them break through because our CM positions looks set for a long time now, especially if Pogba signs a new deal.

We may end up with a midfield of Pogba, Fernandes, VDB, Levitt and Garner, Mejbri, Galbraith, McTomminay on the bench. Would be amazing to be honest and just show's how much money we've pissed up the wall in the last few years.

Garner and Galbraith are only 2 months apart, with Levitt being slightly older, they're all within 12 months of each other. Mejbri is 2 years younger than all 3.

 

[Bastian]

Mejbri is getting more attention but Galbraith is better. Garner and Levitt are both better than the pair of them also but they do have a few years on them. It's going to be interesting to see if any of them break through because our CM positions looks set for a long time now, especially if Pogba signs a new deal.

We may end up with a midfield of Pogba, Fernandes, VDB, Levitt and Garner, Mejbri, Galbraith, McTomminay on the bench. Would be amazing to be honest and just show's how much money we've pissed up the wall in the last few years.

Yeah, I just mentioned him because he's being recruited later into his teens, from a club in Europe. I'll have to follow Galbraith, but Garner has impressed me enough to think we should hold onto him for this season if we don't sign a deep lying midfielder, as I'd rather throw him in at the deep end, covering for Matic, than square-peg-round-hole Fred in there, or McTominay.

Levitt to Charlton and Garner to Huddersfield it seems. Anyone know what style of football those clubs play?

 

[crossy1686]

Garner and Galbraith are only 2 months apart, with Levitt being slightly older, they're all within 12 months of each other. Mejbri is 2 years younger than all 3.

I thought Garner and Levitt were a year older for some reason.

 

[Web of Bissaka]

We're always good at doing this, nothing new.

Their transition to the first team is what matters the most.
I have low confidence in this department.

 

[Revan]

Mejbri is getting more attention but Galbraith is better. Garner and Levitt are both better than the pair of them also but they do have a few years on them. It's going to be interesting to see if any of them break through because our CM positions looks set for a long time now, especially if Pogba signs a new deal.

We may end up with a midfield of Pogba, Fernandes, VDB, Levitt and Garner, Mejbri, Galbraith, McTomminay on the bench. Would be amazing to be honest and just show's how much money we've pissed up the wall in the last few years.

It is extremely unlikely that all of them will be United's quality, heck I would take a guaranteed starter right now, and if two of them make it, then it would be awesome. It doesn't matter how good they look right now, most of the young talents actually do not become good enough for United (Rossi, Ravel, Keane brothers, Macheda, Wilson etc, whom all looked very talented in youth categories).

 

[AltiUn]

We're always good at doing this, nothing new.

Their transition to the first team is what matters the most.
I have low confidence in this department.

We’ll have 8 academy players as squad regulars next season, that’s not accounting for potential promotions, we’re obviously doing something right.

 

[Cloud7]

We are signing a lot of people but I have no idea if they are shite or amazing.

I remember when we signed Pique and Rossi at virtually the same time, good players....not that it did United much good.

To be fair Pique went on to become one of the best CB's of this generation. The issue at United was that our first team was occupied by arguably our best ever CB pairing. Had we not had Rio/Vidic at the time I'm sure Pique would have had a good career at United.

 

[Indnyc]

We’ll have 8 academy players as squad regulars next season, that’s not accounting for potential promotions, we’re obviously doing something right.

Rashford, Greenwood, McTominay, Pogba, Williams, Henderson, TFM

who else am I missing?

 

[roonster09]

Rashford, Greenwood, McTominay, Pogba, Williams, Henderson, TFM

who else am I missing?

Maybe Tuanzebe or Laird.

 

[Indnyc]

Maybe Tuanzebe or Laird.

Ah yes.. Should be Tuanzebe.. Thank you

 

[lysglimt]

Rashford, Greenwood, McTominay, Pogba, Williams, Henderson, TFM

who else am I missing?

Well - Lingard ?

 

[Thiagoal]

To be fair Pique went on to become one of the best CB's of this generation. The issue at United was that our first team was occupied by arguably our best ever CB pairing. Had we not had Rio/Vidic at the time I'm sure Pique would have had a good career at United.

Actually it was Jonny Evans that halted Piques development the most iirc

 

[Ekeke]

Sign Spain

 

[Mark Pawelek]

The only thing we're not doing is getting new forwards for U-23 squad so they compete (in a more competitive league). Last season U-23s lost 5 forwards.
Chong - loan
Gomes, Ramazani - free agents
Greenwood - promoted to 1st team
Mellor - bad injury

 

[lysglimt]

Actually it was Jonny Evans that halted Piques development the most iirc

Or the simple fact that Pique wanted to go back to Spain

 

[MancunianAngels]

Our record of developing young players capable of playing regularly for the first team has been appalling since the class of 92.

 

[jojojo]

Back on track with the academy. Possibly the most positive thing about United since SAF. Hope we keep this up.

Hmmm, unless there's a FIFA rule change or a change in the kind of Brexit deal (or no deal) Boris is doing then I think this is the last time we'll be allowed to sign 16 year olds from the EU. That rule may apply to Ireland as well.

Under 18s can't usually move countries under FIFA rules, but there's a special dispensation (due to EU free movement rules) from FIFA for the 16-18 group in Europe. I don't know if we're thinking about or can already use the "sister club" idea to set up something based in Europe.

 

[Drainy]

Our record of developing young players capable of playing regularly for the first team has been appalling since the class of 92.

But better than most clubs

 

[KM]

Our record of developing young players capable of playing regularly for the first team has been appalling since the class of 92.

It's actually excellent if we compare it to any team in PL, but United fan's expectations regarding this are very stupid so they're not satisfied by anything when it comes to youth academies.

 

[stu_1992]

Our record of developing young players capable of playing regularly for the first team has been appalling since the class of 92.

Class of 92 was a set of circumstances which are highly unlikely to occur again, and even if we it did, it certainly wouldn't be very often. As others have correctly pointed out we do far better than practically anyone, especially in the UK but also most of Europe, at developing players for our first team squad t least through the academy. If you're expecting a "Class of 92" every few years, the expectations are way too high. The academy is probably the last thing thing I'd criticize at United right now.

 

[Ace of Spades]

I would say that the only difference now is the aggressiveness in our approach. We have always signed players from other academies, so that is not new.

Also, wonder what happens after Brexit, and how this will affect academy recruitment ??

 

[sparx99]

It's actually excellent if we compare it to any team in PL, but United fan's expectations regarding this are very stupid so they're not satisfied by anything when it comes to youth academies.

You don’t usually get 2-3 superstars along with another couple of top players like we did. Beckham, Giggs and Scholes is like a cheat code pretty much only matched or bettered by Barca with Xavi, Iniesta and Messi playing together.

Since class of 92 we have had loads of first team regulars.

Jonny Evans
Wes Brown
Darren Fletcher
Danny Welbeck
John O’Shea
Paul Pogba
Marcus Rashford
Jesse Lingard
Tom Cleverley

Obviously some are better than others and we had a better team for them to come into previously.

 

[KM]

You don’t usually get 2-3 superstars along with another couple of top players like we did. Beckham, Giggs and Scholes is like a cheat code pretty much only matched or bettered by Barca with Xavi, Iniesta and Messi playing together.

Since class of 92 we have had loads of first team regulars.

Jonny Evans
Wes Brown
Darren Fletcher
Danny Welbeck
John O’Shea
Paul Pogba
Marcus Rashford
Jesse Lingard
Tom Cleverley

Obviously some are better than others and we had a better team for them to come into previously.

We can safely add McTominay, Williams, Greenwood and I think very soon Henderson to this list.

 

[KM]

I would say that the only difference now is the aggressiveness in our approach. We have always signed players from other academies, so that is not new.

Also, wonder what happens after Brexit, and how this will affect academy recruitment ??

Won't be able to sign u18 from outside England.

 

[londonredmaniac]

Our record of developing young players capable of playing regularly for the first team has been appalling since the class of 92.

No it hasn't...it's been very very decent.

 

[wolvored]

Yeah, I just mentioned him because he's being recruited later into his teens, from a club in Europe. I'll have to follow Galbraith, but Garner has impressed me enough to think we should hold onto him for this season if we don't sign a deep lying midfielder, as I'd rather throw him in at the deep end, covering for Matic, than square-peg-round-hole Fred in there, or McTominay.

Levitt to Charlton and Garner to Huddersfield it seems. Anyone know what style of football those clubs play?

Mainly shit, hence the reason they aint in the Premier

 

[Ace of Spades]

Won't be able to sign u18 from outside England.

That sucks.