Is United’s latest group of youngsters ready to replicate the fledglings..?
Lee Price questions whether United’s current crop of emerging players are ready for the big time……
There has been a lot of talk about the young-looking nature of Manchester United’s squad for the coming season.
The double capture of Chris Smalling (20) and Javier Hernandez (22) for a combined fee of around £20million has set the tone for Sir Alex Ferguson’s future transfer market tactics, as we no longer possess the financial muscle to mix it with the big boys.
With homegrown prospects such as Tom Cleverley and Danny Welbeck earning deserved plaudits during the American tour and the likes of Gabriel Obertan, Ritchie De Laet, the Da Silva twins, Kiko Macheda and Corry Evans all involved too, many feel Fergie is presiding over another group of ‘fledglings’.
While I too feel that it is a promising group of players, I’m seeking to calm the euphoria surrounding the batch of talented teens and tweens.
All of them – and I leave no exceptions here – need first team football to aid their development. Playing second-fiddle will not bring them on.
Look at the emergence of Cleverley as a prime case study: loan spells at Leicester and, particularly, Watford over the last 18 months have catapulted him to the forefront of national attention – despite never playing for United in a competitive tie.
The 50 first-team games he picked up while out on loan shouldn’t be under estimated. Cleverley turns 21 next month and has all the attributes to fill Paul Scholes’ shoes when he eventually retires.
With Scholesy confirming that he’ll play for at least one more season, Cleverley may as well seek another spell away from Old Trafford – particularly if it is in the top flight.
Newcastle have been linked and, if they can offer the Basingstoke-born starlet regular game time, he’d benefit from the experience.
The same goes for the host of young talent I listed above.
With the exception of Rafael, Smalling and Hernandez, none are in line for starting positions. None of them are first under-studys, though Fabio and Obertan may quarrel with that suggestion.
Fergie recently said that Macheda would not be loaned out, but I don’t understand this – he has Wayne Rooney, Dimitar Berbatov, Michael Owen and Hernandez ahead of him. He’s fifth-choice (providing Welbeck is loaned out), surely we can afford to let him develop elsewhere?
And if there is an extreme crisis where we need to call on a fifth striker for a game or two, then dip into the Under-18 squad – I’m thinking Joshua King specifically here – for those couple of games rather than waste another season for Macheda.
Jonny Evans and Darron Gibson have shown that United are continuing to bring through talented young players, capable of establishing themselves in the first team – but both of those spent significant periods out on loan.
Going to Preston proved the catalyst for David Beckham’s United career. I hope our current pool of young talent gets the opportunity to develop in a similar way.
Lee Price edits Football-Previews and genuinely believes Dimitar Berbatov can have an impact this season…
I am sick to bits of this concern over the level of transfer money United have spent.
If after the World cup United had went and bought Javier for say a fee of £15 million based on his World cup performances.We would have all been delirous with excitement at this prospect, and thinking yes we do have money to spend.
So because he was tracked for a while prior to the World cup and we purchased him at the low end of the market he is not seen as real Jewel.
Speak of spending money for the sake of it Wow!
As far as I am aware Martin Edwards stated amid public speculation on Sir Alexs future and immenent sacking, that he knew Sir Alex was working relentlessly behind the scenes and first team to build the future.I therefore cannot see what has altered in this policy at Manchester United, its proved successful in the past.
The youngster will be blooded as normal in the Carling cup and as necessary in league games.
I can only imagine that Sir Alex see’s more benifit in the youngsters working with senior professionals at United.
There is no point in sending the youngsters to other clubs if they are not playing in there correct position and being challenged in a quality league.
As a side not I read elsewhere that Gabriel was going to be loaned to Glasgow Rangers, FFS what’s the point in that nonesense.And glad it was trashed as a stupid idea.No benifit to Gabriel.
Fredrico I believe scored once in 5 games although as we know it was not 5 full games.
Also he was injured for a long period so really was not up to speed to play more often during last season.
But looks off the pace in the States but thats the object of the tour, is it not!
I would prefer to keep them all at United unless they go to a Premiership club and are played in there favoured postion.
RedScot – not sure why you bring up monetary concerns. I mentioned that we can’t compete anymore because it’s true – look at City’s spending as a prime example.
I hear what you’re saying about working with the pros at United, but there is nothing like first team football. Kiko, in particular, has had two years working with the experienced guys – let’s let him loose in a Championship side.
Cleverley’s game has improved tenfold since going to Watford and Leicester – I can say that because I’ve watched his progress carefully from the United reserves – and others would reap those benefits too.
Like I said, just look at Jonny Evans and Darron Gibson…
W.Keane , Cofie , Brady , Norwood , Pogba , Petrucci , King , Eikrem , Diouf , Mcginty , possbon , are all good young players
@Lee I brought up the monetary aspect because it annoys me personally that nearly everbody is wanting this marque signing for what reason.
I can understand one signing in the form of an offensive midfielder this season that will return a significant number of Goals, for me thats all we require.
Yes I do look at Citys spending, but I am not jealous I just see it as a hotch potch of Ego’s and going to be difficult for Mancini to keep them all happy and playing, nigh impossible.
And personally I see this all imploding possibly wishfull thinking but its what I can see on the horizon.
I honestly cant see Kiko going anywere as I believe his agent has made this clear.
I am also given his fitness improves, I believe we will all be proud as punch at his first team performances next season.
Take your points on board regards Tom Cleverly at Watford last term and how they adored him there.
Here here regards Jonny Evans more so than Darron at this point in time.Jonny just looks a natural.
But sorry I wavered of the object of your article, and understand it perfectly. Cheers.
Would just like to talk about a few youngsters.
Personally it would be great if everyone can stay and still have enough games to go around. But oh well.
I hope and believe that Fabio and Smalling will stay. They are great backups. But regarding De Laet. Do you think he should be loaned out? I hope he stays of course. Plus, Ferdinand and Brown really injury prone these days. Not to forget O shea and Nev as well. I would say he should stay as cover. So we pretty much have Fabio(LB),Evans Smalling (CB) De Laet (RB) as backups. What do you think?
As for Cleverly, I agree. We have adequate cover in midfield. Obertan should NOT go on loan. He is the surprise package we have for the season on the wings that is.
As for the strikers, I certainly hope Kiko and Welbeck stays. No doubt chances might be limited. But I’m always worried about Owen’s fitness. What if he gets another long term injury? One striker down isnt it? (and its really a high chance of that happening)
So I think Macheda should stay.
Another point is what are the chances of them featuring for a Premier League side regularly? The likes of Di Santo and Jay Simpson did not really feature much.
What if Macheda experiences the same?
Therefore, I reckon that him staying might just be better.
What do you think ?
P.S Typed this in a semi-clear state of mind. Points jumbled up.
I’d like to point out that you’ve neglected to mention Mame Biram Diouf as an option as a striker, he’d bee above Macheda as well.
Thanks for your comments guys, in reverse order…
Paddy – good point mate, even more reason for Welbeck and Macheda to seek first team action.
Seodevilz – I know what you mean with Obertan, he could be a good game-changer from the bench.
If Owen is injured we still have Rooney, Berbatov, and Hernandez plus Diouf (as Paddy said) and young Joshua King.
Fergie only loans players out when he knows they’ll get game time. Sending Macheda to the Championship wouldn’t necessarily be a bad thing, just to get him some games.
Welbeck is being chased by Sunderland, but I hope he doesn’t go there as he won’t play. If they’re going to be in reserve, better to do at Old Trafford.
But if Fergie hand picks the clubs for the players, they can get games – even if Welbeck went somewhere and was third choice, that’s still a lot higher than he is at United!
Giggs11God – True, but I wasn’t merely listing all the talented players we have! That lot is the group coming through beneath this one (minus Diouf and Possebon). Those guys will be in this position in a year or two.