Being a good youth team is pretty irrelevant if you can’t translate it to men’s football. Chelsea often have powerful fast players in their teams which can look good when young but struggle to step up.
You follow the youth team, right?
Only Chong and Gomes really. Garner might get a few minutes in cup matches but I don’t see him being a mainstay for a few years.
Let's hope so.
The forgotten thing about the class of 92 is that G Neville,Butt,and Beckham were underage the next season as well. Scholes was in the team as well(He didn't play in the 92 final). They lost the final to Leeds 4-1 over two legs.
Mate playing regular in the championship at 17 will be amazing. It's not like these guys are Wayne Rooney or C Ronaldo. Some have not even played much at under 23. Playing regular against actual men would do the world of good. Why wouldn't it? They are like teenagers. Greenwood is still in school isn't he?
In nearly 30 years we haven't produced a single academy player that has gone on to reach anywhere near their levels as a pro. Pogba maybe and he was stolen from Le Havre. I don't think people realise that the aforementioned players were once in a generation talents. The type you don't just replicate and certainly not assume future prospects will reach that level. Barcelona will never replicate that golden generation.
Correct. I don’t think Chong is ready yet, where as Greenwood and Gomes are.
I think the Lingard twins could have a big impact this year
Because you can't rebuild without either loadsa money or young players.
Levitt anywhere close to that level?
Levitt's really good but he isn't as good as the ones he mentioned.
That's because our academy was neglected for so long that we haven't produced the calibre of player we did. Ravel Morrison for example was tipped to have more potential than Beckham and Scholes for instance. but he ruined his career because he had to still act the gangster with his buddies from Moss Side. You also need a manager with balls to have the foresight and judgment to get rid of the likes of Mark Hughes, Paul Ince and Andrei Kancelskis and bring in the likes of Beckham and Scholes as replacements. There was many United fans at the time pulling their hair out over what SAF did in that Particular summer in getting rid of three big names in favour of the kids.
Chong and Gomes played the EFL Trophy match earlier in the week I think.
Talent level similar to Chong and Garner. Further away from senior football though.
Not sure about that, but that won't be too bad. I am willing to be patient with Academy kids.
They did. And Gomes was absolutely sensational, with a maturity of performance that belied his tender years. I think he will end the season as a starter.
It will start out that way for sure. But Ole has not been afraid to play the kids, and right now is an amazing time to be a young player at United. If they come in and do well, I think they will cement their places in the team. And by “they” I mean Greenwood and Gomes. I would be surprised if Chong made it. But you never know.
Garner is much closer than that, he'll be playing first team football next season I reckon.
we’ve had a few good talents like Januzaj and Wilson but these kids just feel different. I think they both love football so much and will remain dedicated to improving. The others got distracted early and gave up on their potential.
hence I said mainstay. He will get minutes but he’s only just turned 18 himself. Its how well he does when he gets those minutes that decides it really.
I agree re sitting in the stands but equally, he needs to be eased in, like those you have mentioned.
Tbh they were all back with the youth squad in the efl trophy this week bar Greenwood
Fair enough. I am more open to Gomes and Chong and using Greenwood in Europa and CC. Let's go Gomes!
Gomes is likely to be a bit-part player at the start of season. Ole has entrusted Lingard with the #10 role in pre-season and going by his words he's a key player in his setup to press from the front.
Why do people always say this? Mata didn't play in almost two thirds of Ole's games last season, and Matic was deservedly benched for McTominay by the end as well.
He's probably not extended it due to lack of first team opportunities. If we'd have signed Eriksen or Dybala as was mooted in the press, he would have been pushed further down the pecking order and may have wanted to move on for the sake of his career. Hopefully now he'll get enough chances to make his mind up to stay. Surely there's been a contract on the table but with a few good performances in the first team, he'll probably get improved terms and hopefully sign up.
