If They Are Good Enough, They Are Old Enough

Sir Matt Busby's words are what Manchester United is built on. It is very much a part of the club history to produce young talent and provide them with an opportunity to play in the first team.

Two prime examples are of course the Busby Babes and Fergie’s Fledglings. It’s been proven time and time again that Manchester United produces many of its own players, and that should be more than enough reason to pay some attention to our Reserves and Academy. You never know if you’ll catch a glimpse of the next Sir Bobby Charlton or Ryan Giggs.

It is fast approaching the time when Manchester United will be linked with every big name under the sun, and to be fair this summer we may actually sign a few. The need for a goalkeeper is the obvious example of United’s likeliness to delve into the transfer market. However, is that always the answer? It may not be in the next two or three years. We’re fortunate now to have even more promising young talent amongst our ranks right now. Now, I’m certainly not claiming we should follow the way of Arsenal. That is a barren road best left untraveled. But we do have players that can make it in the first team, and personally that is more exciting than a big marquee transfer. It’s what the club is built on, and every player who makes it at United is homage to the beliefs of Sir Matt Busby and Sir Alex Ferguson.

Tom Cleverley and Danny Welbeck are two players who should be making their breakthrough this summer. Both have done well on loan with Premier League clubs, and everything seems to suggest they are ready to play a bigger role in the first team next season. What about a few years down the road though? The prospects are bright. One name you’ve likely heard of is Ravel Morrison, a player some have gone as far as to claim he is the most promising youngster since Paul Scholes’ time in the academy. If he can even get close to the level of Scholes then the future certainly is promising, and having seen him play in the U18s and Reserves I have to admit there is something special in him. His usual two midfield partners, Ryan Tunnicliffe and Paul Pogba, could also be destined for the first team. What Tunnicliffe lacks in ability, he makes up for in sheer determination and work ethic. He isn’t the best footballer you’ll ever see, but he works his ass off and does the job effectively. Think of Darren Fletcher. He’s not the most gifted you’ll ever see at Old Trafford, but for 90 minutes he will work tirelessly for the team. Tunnicliffe could offer that as well. Pogba on the other hand has a bit of flair and creativity, along with strength and a wonderful dribbling ability. He’s hit some stunning goals; something United fans have been calling for from midfield. Check him out on YouTube if you need proof. Three young midfielders, all who can contribute something unique to the first team should they get the call.

Is it just the midfield hoarding all the promising talent? Certainly not. No defenders stand out as being first team material, but there are two strikers who come to mind. Both Joshua King and Will Keane have been discussed as potential first teamers. They’ve done well in the Academy and Reserves, and given a few good loans they may well develop into first team material.

The big question may be how to watch the youth of Manchester United. If you’re outside of the United Kingdom, it isn’t always convenient, but I have no problem catching most matches. Streams are always available on Twitter, or for a small fee on Simply Reds you can have access to live streaming for all games. My own site, 7Cantonas.com, does its very best to provide links to free streams for all the big youth fixtures. There is really no excuse for not being able to watch the Academy and Reserves as the internet have made them significantly more accessible in recent years.

If history has taught us anything, it is that the future of Manchester United is partially in the youth. There will be some big name signings in the coming years, but there will also be those in the academy of have the ability to make the step up to the first team. Maybe they won’t be the next Ryan Giggs or Paul Scholes, but they will have something important to contribute to this club. They’ve been raised the United way. They know what this club means and they’ve been groomed for this club. There’s something special there in seeing these players grow up before our eyes. In this society there seems to be value in finding “the next big thing” and knowing about something special before it goes mainstream. Don’t miss out. A few years from now you may well regret that you hadn’t already seen Ravel Morrison’s brilliance before he was a star on the biggest stage.