Jim Thwaites

[Ekeke]

So if we sell Ugarte and buy 2 midfielders, is he the favorite to join the first team and be the 4th CM behind Mainoo and the 2 signings?

I'd like to see him and other youth players given oppertunities like that but I doubt it. Our history is that we dont bring midfielders through unless they are physically advanced like the men they're playing against. I think he'll get a chance in preseason but unless he does a Mainoo and shows the physical strength to hold off the adults hes playing against I'd bet on him being being slowly introduced

 

[TwoSheds]

He could potentially play RM if he's not ready for a CM role like Fletcher or Beckham did. Worked out ok for them. Could also play no.10 if Bruno dropped back.

Having said that I think I would sign 3 CMs and give him league cup games then send him out on loan unless we can't afford it. I like a lot of our other young midfielders but I'm not 100% convinced by any of them. Would be great to see one or more of them prove me wrong. I like McCormack a lot from what I've seen and heard but I suspect he's too young and inexperienced in the position to be ready for first team chances.

 

[Hammondo]

I caught some of it. Liverpool just couldn't get the ball off him. Even if they got close, his ability to shield the ball, ride challenges and turn under pressure just meant he'd keep the ball regardless.

This kid 100% watches de Jong with all the la pelopina turns he does.

They forced him into some bad passes at times though, looked a tough game physically.

 

[Yagami]

They forced him into some bad passes at times though, looked a tough game physically.

People who watch more youth games than me can feel free to correct me, but the toughest game I've seen him face from a physical POV was Chelsea. He loves pulling off those la pelopina turns to lose his opponent and give himself more time on the ball, and he struggled to pull them off to similar effect in that game because Chelsea's players were so strong.

I think if he were to get first team action next season, he'd be reluctant to pull them off at first. Well, as many as he likes to do currently. I think he'd just look to move the ball on quickly, which he can do. Once his body develops and he can start coping with the physicality of senior players, he'll probably be confident enough to start doing them again because, as simple as they look, they are a huge asset to have in your locker.

 

[Fr. Todd Unctious]

We’ve got some great 1950’s throwback names in the U18’s.

We’ve moved past the Jadon’s, Jesse’s, Demetri’s and Shola’s to a new era in the U18’s of Jim’s, Albert’s and Fred’s.

His name actually gets even more old school. His middle names are Alec Joseph !

 

[Yagami]

 

[Baxquux]

Couple of loose passes early on but very good performance otherwise. Hope he gets some sub minutes in the final couple of games at least, especially with club pushing the brief that they are going to promote at least 1 midfielder to play part in Utd's cup fixtures and expanded schedule next season, rather than it being purely new signings + Kobbie.

 

[Demaw]

Quality on the ball and like Scholes, will need extra time to grow and get stronger.

 

[stealthy]

Big fan but he will need more time to learn the game and how to cope in mens game with smaller frame don’t rush him. Was decent against City but don’t beleive the clips hype needs more time at U21.

We do overhype, they had some real quality as well and could have been out of site after 20 mins if they could finish and our keeper wasn’t MOM, but they don’t seem to put as much pressure on them and allow them to grow without as much hype. We are Bigger club I know but wish those on X would tone it down a touch

 

[ArthurAlbistonIsAngry]

United have so many young midfielders of a similar age - the Fletchers, Thwaites, Devaney, Fitzgerald.

Realistically, only one or two of them stand a chance of making it here and I think the club need to decide who has the highest medium to long term ceiling.

 

[Robbo*]

United have so many young midfielders of a similar age - the Fletchers, Thwaites, Devaney, Fitzgerald.

Realistically, only one or two of them stand a chance of making it here and I think the club need to decide who has the highest medium to long term ceiling.

There’s also Collyer, Gore, Moorhouse, Kone and perhaps Orozco, most of whom are a bit older but fall into a similar category.

Quite a bit of thinking to do as the signings arrive in terms of which of these lads will be with the first team, the 23s or sent on loan.

 

[Bastian]

There’s also Collyer, Gore, Moorhouse, Kone and perhaps Orozco, most of whom are a bit older but fall into a similar category.

Quite a bit of thinking to do as the signings arrive in terms of which of these lads will be with the first team, the 23s or sent on loan.

I suspect Collyer and Gore will both be sold this summer.

 

[dutchred]

Gore should be kept, best allround and defensive young midfielder we have

 

[Prodigal7]

United have so many young midfielders of a similar age - the Fletchers, Thwaites, Devaney, Fitzgerald.

Realistically, only one or two of them stand a chance of making it here and I think the club need to decide who has the highest medium to long term ceiling.

For me Fitzgerald has the highest ceiling along with McCormack who’s a bit younger than the rest on the list. It’s tough for Fitzgerald now with the injuries he’s had but both could make the 1st team eventually IMO. Really like what McCormack has done in midfield this season.