Manchester United’s youngsters will be given more than enough chances to prove that they have what it takes to make it at Old Trafford, but, obviously, they will have to take them when they come.
The majority of United’s Tour 2010 squad is filled young players, so with five pre-season matches in North America they will all have the chance to see if they can make the grade at United. The 22-man squad that Sir Alex Ferguson selected includes no fewer than 15 players under the tender age of 23.
Midfield
Over the years the United midfield has been filled with top-class players like Roy Keane, David Beckham and Bryan Robson, so the pressure of the young midfielders to emulate what they did in their careers, they will need to put in an honest effort.
The tour has a few young midfielders - Tom Cleverley, Corry Evans, Gabriel Obertan, Darron Gibson and Nani - so it will be imperative to see how these players stand up to their predecessors. To their benefit, they have the chance to learn their trade from two of the greatest United servants - Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes - so there should not be any excuse if they do not succeed.
The young midfielders on the tour are split into two groups – Cleverley, Evans and Obertan - who are all relatively unknown and just beginning to break into the squad and - Gibson and Nani - who are young players that already in the first-team squad mix.
Cleverly, albeit a major deflection, scored the final goal in United’s 3-1 victory over Celtic F.C., and he has already been seen as the long-term replacement to Scholes.
Evans, the young brother of Jonny, has not made a first-team appearance and is still an integral part of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s reserve team. Evans, 19, is more than likely on the Tour to gain the valuable experience of the atmosphere that it offers.
Obertan arrived last summer in somewhat of a shock transfer from Bordeaux, but the £3million signing showed glimpses of brilliance and ability to attack defenders. Obertan is very lanky winger, but he has pace that is rivaled by very few players, so he should be able to get passed defenders and create opportunities for his teammates.
The other two midfielders are two attack-minded players and can strike the ball with some of the best players in the world. Gibson and Nani have already scored some first-class goals for the United first team, but the Gaffer will be looking for them to do it on a more consistent basis.
Besides having one of the fiercest shots in the United team, Gibson has been able to lock down a first team position, but with that said, Sir Alex will not let the combative midfielder leave Old Trafford.
Nani has only scored eight Barclays Premier League goals in 62 first-team appearances, which is a far shout from his fellow countryman’s, Cristiano Ronaldo, total. However, the second part of last season saw Nani mature into a more well-rounded player who was providing better service and contributing goals at a better rate.
Attack
One thing that United have been noted for in the past is their willingness to attack, which means that they need the right players to score, and hopefully Sir Alex has that with his next group of young players.
Mame Biram Diouf, Federico Macheda, Danny Welbeck and the newest arrival, Javier Hernandez, will all look to help take the scoring load off from Wayne Rooney’s shoulders.
Diouf, who signed from Norwegian club Molde last summer, only made a few appearances for the first-team following the completion of the move in January. He scored one goal last season, but due to the form of Rooney, he was unable to make more first-team appearances.
It was Diouf's cross that set up United's first goal of the Tour 2010.
Macheda is a player that has been destined for stardom by Sir Alex himself following his little but significant contribution to the 2008/09 Premier League title race. The young Italian scored two vital goals against Aston Villa and Sunderland, but the goal against the Villans catapulted him immediately into United folklore.
Last season was supposed to be Macheda’s breakout, but he missed the majority of the year with injuries, however, that did not prevent from scoring a goal against Chelsea at the end of the season.
Welbeck, who was born in Greater Manchester, is a player that Sir Alex would love to hold onto, but he is high demand with other Premier League managers. Sunderland manager and former United legend, Steve Bruce, is said to be tracking the youngster and is willing to take him on a season-long loan.
Young Welbeck scored a cracking goal from more than 30-yards on his league-debut against Stoke City, and he the lanky player has the ability to play wide on the right as well.
Hernandez, or ‘Chicarito’, was signed from Mexican club, C.D. Guadalajara, in April because Sir Alex wanted to act quickly before the 2010 FIFA World Cup. The quick capture of Chicarito proved to be another genius move by Sir Alex, because the young Mexican impressed during his playing time and scored two very well take goals, which would have easily increased his value after the tournament.
Sir Alex Ferguson has always been known for taking a risk and fielding his young, talented players, so with that said, this group will have to show that they can perform on the biggest of stages and help Manchester United to compete for seasons to come.
Squad
Goalkeepers: E. van der Sar, T. Kuszczak, B. Amos; Defenders: W. Brown, R. De Laet, J. Evans, Fabio, J.O'Shea, Rafael, C. Smalling; Midfielders: T. Cleverley, D. Fletcher, C. Evans, D. Gibson, R. Giggs, Nani, G. Obertan, P. Scholes; Forwards: D. Berbatov, M. B. Diouf, J. Hernandez (Houston - 7/27), F. Macheda, D. Welbeck
Visit One United USA's official Tour 2010 site - unitedinthestates.blogspot.com - for the latest updates and information about the training sessions for the United States part of the tour.
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