Can We Afford To Wait On Youth?

Following a rousing performance from United’s youngsters in the 3-0 victory over Aldershot Town, there are plenty of reasons to anticipate the future of Manchester United. However, can we really wait on the kids to fully establish themselves in the first team? Some fans have suggested this much, saying that our top three prospects are midfielders, and any signings in this area may hinder the youth development.

There is always a certain level of excitement when a youngster makes the breakthrough at Manchester United, rising through the ranks of the academy to play in the first team. These are the players who have followed the footsteps of Bobby Charlton, George Best, Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, Gary Neville and so many other famous names. We are a club that finds more excitement in watching a rising star from within than welcoming a marquee signing. Case in point, Twitter nearly exploded today when Ravel Morrison came on as a second half substitute. His introduction generated excitement both on and off the pitch. He did everything a United fan could want: running with the ball, picking out a some smart passes, getting involved in the attack, making a few classy flicks in the build up play and tracking back to help in defense. Only a goal would have improved his cameo to cap off an energetic display. It makes sense that fans would prefer to avoid any action that would hold back youngsters with such promise, but is this a luxury we can afford?

Morrison, along with Paul Pogba and Ryan Tunnicliffe have all been tipped to make careers at Manchester United. All three play in midfield, which is the one position that is the most in need of strengthening. Unfortunately, at the age of 18, all three are not yet ready to play at the highest level. In two or three years they may be ready to be fully established first team players, but it is probably too much of an ask for any of them at this stage. While I firmly believe in the famous “If they’re good enough, they’re old enough” quote from Sir Matt Busby, all three of the aforementioned youngsters have plenty of developing left to do and are far from the finished product.

Some fans have suggested that we may hold off on signing a midfielder considering the talent we will have in the next few years. However, there are two major issues with this view. First, and most obvious, despite the unquestionable promise shown by all three in the Reserves, there are no guarantees that any of them will make it at Old Trafford. It was only last season that everyone seemed convinced that Magnus Eikrem would make it to the first team, but before ever making an appearance, he followed Ole Gunnar Solskjaer out the door and has carved out a fine debut season at Molde under Solskjaer. Before him, it was Giuseppe Rossi. For all the success stories of kids going on to become United heroes, there are just as many about those who failed to make the grade. Nothing is certain.

The second issue I take with this view is that any player worthy of representing Manchester United should be capable of overcoming any obstacle put in their way. Even if Sir Alex Ferguson were to go out on New Years Day and sign Wesley Sneijder or any other top midfielder, one would expect a player of United quality to force his way into the squad. If Morrison is as good as we all believe him to be, he wouldn’t be stopped by a world class player in his position. At United, there exists a mentality that challenges are opportunities to prove your strengths, not obstacles to discourage you. Seeing a world class player should serve as motivation, making youngsters push themselves to higher levels, always with eyes on displacing the man in front of them, despite the fact that he may be a big name player. If our youngsters are not capable of this, then they are not capable of playing for United. Signing a new player may delay their breakthrough to the first team, but ultimately they’re better off because of it.

Fergie’s Fledglings did not make it to the first team because there were vacancies that needed to be filled. They all made it in spite of the proven players in front of them, forcing Sir Alex to clear out his established stars to make room his rising stars. This set a precedent – if you’re good enough, you will get your chance. All young players at United should remember that, and not be discouraged that their time has not yet come or that a big name is a roadblock between them and the first team. They must plough right through that roadblock. And when Sir Alex hands them the chance of a lifetime, they damn well better take it! It may be the only one they get. Plenty of United stars have walked this path before, they would do well to not stray from it.

I have been excited for Morrison, Pogba and Tunnicliffe for over a year now, watching every Reserves and U18 game that I to see their capabilities. I genuinely believe that all three are capable of playing for the first team; I have a lot of confidence in them. The last thing I would want is to see their journeys to first team derailed, but our priority must be on the first team. Right now we are lacking a midfield general, and we shouldn’t be waiting for players that might not even make it. We must address this issue first and foremost. Doing so would not be a detriment to those waiting in the wings, but rather a situation that will make them stronger. Focus on the first team and its needs now, and forget about waiting on promising young stars just for a while. In the meantime, the youngsters will do what is required of them and give Sir Alex an awful selection headache when the time is right.