Joshua King on his first team debut last season
Having seen Chudi’s piece on United creating our stars rather than just buying them I decided to have a look some of the players who will be making waves at Old Trafford in the future. Some are knocking on the first team door, some still have some work to do but all have as big a chance as any to shine at Old Trafford.
Ritchie De Laet – The Belgian 21 year old has been a regular in the reserves and has been called up to the first team squad when need case in point the injury crisis. Looks likely to be first choice backup to Rio, Vidic and Evans but will be used during the cup competition against weaker opposition.
Tom Cleverly – The talented midfielder is already an under 21 international for England. Having been nominated for the reserve player of the year last season, this past season he was on loan at Watford and clearly enjoyed his time as he was named their players of the season. With competition for places tight in the midfield, it will be interesting to see if Cleverly will spend more time in the reserves or will be loaned out again.
Craig Cathcart – Regarded highly by Sir Alex, the tall defender looks to have the backing of the boss to make the cut at OT. Having already played for the first team in pre season friendlies, he has spent time on loan at both Watford and Plymouth getting some solid appearances under his belt. With Rio, Vidic, Evans, O’Shea and Brown ahead of him, he does not look likely to feature in the first team next term.
David Petrucci – The young Italian has looked impressive in his time at Old Trafford with the reserves and the academy team. Still highly unlikely though that he will be involved next season with the first team but there is no rush. Expect in years to come to see why Roma were so angry that we snapped up their next Totti.
Josua King – Leading the attack for both the reserves and academy this past season, Joshua King may well become Ole’s successor in the first team. Powerful and athletic, King possesses all the qualities to become a top class forward and this was seen in his cameo appearances against Wolves in the Carling Cup. Only18, first team chances might be limited next season but he is one for the future.
Magnus Eikrem – Another of Ole’s boys, Eikrem has made giant strides and is one of the foremost members of the reserve team. A midfielder with good ability and a set piece expert, he looks a good prospect injury has hindered his progress but if he can stay fit and show the qualities that saw him earn a first team squad number, he could very well make the cut.
It is always great to see youngsters giving a chance, but it worries me that we don’t seem to produce anyone outstanding. Giggs for example was incredible and he was in the team at 17. We don’t seem to have any 18-19 year old who is exceptional. Rafeal is a great prospect, he has his flaws, but his potential is great. However defenders are a bit different and can be afforded a bit more time like Johnny Evans. My concern is further up the field in terms of midfielders and strikers. I had high hopes for Welbeck but it getting further away in a sence he is likely to go on loan to Preston. Macheda looks a good prosepct but we haven’t exactly given him a run like we did with Rafeal, or even Ronaldo and Rooney who were both 18 when we signed them. We signed Anderson at 19 and put him in the team, but Cleaverly is 20/21 and looks like going out on loan again. I guess the tour in America is going to tell us alot about which youngsters have progressed and can be part of the first team.
I like your point:
“We signed Anderson at 19 and put him in the team, but Cleaverly is 20/21 and looks like going out on loan again.”
Of course some will say that it’s because Anderson had experience playing in Porto’s first team but that all comes from being given a chance. I think thats all a lot of these players need, a chance. Some will take it, some won’t but it’s the surest way of finding out.
I see your point Tom regarding Giggs; however, I would argue the Prem is MUCH deeper in terms of talent than 20 years ago. In fact, Roy Hodgson even said so when compairing EPL to Italy when he was there. Hypothetically, I’d bet guys like Welbeck, Macheda, Cleverley etc… would look world class as well if playing in the EPL in ’90. Take a look at some retro games and you’ll see some guys whose pace wouldn’t even cut it in the Coca Cola Championship today.
That being said, I’d agree that these guys simply need to plug into real competition in order to move on to the next level. In a perfect world, players could develop all their talent in the reserves or on loan and then fit into 1st team seamlessly; but that will never happen.
Generally, it’s great United have an incredible amount of fans globally; but it does mean there will be a number of idots who think the club should be run in the same way as a fantasy league. But I’m glad I found this site where that opinion is uncommon.
Don’t get me wrong though, I’m not saying all players today are better. And the fact that Giggs is still one of the best today at 36 y.o. is irrefutable proof of his legendary status. But I’d still say the overall depth today is better and is more difficult for a younger star to stand out.
I don’t agree with buy buy buy.
It’s quite rare to see player brought in who buy into and believe in the history and legend of the club.
Rio has to an extent, his reaction to Sir Bobby at the CL Final in 08 was great and Evra has too constantly refers to it, so seeing players brought up through the ranks into the first teams means they will have been immersed in the culture of the club for an extended period of time.
I would agree with Jonathan in that the standard of the league has improved greatly. Thats the main reason I feel young players have to be of a really top level if they are going to break through. Also the expectation at Man Utd is massive. But like Chudi said it is about giving players a chance. At the moment the media loves James Milner, but I see no reason why Tom Cleverly cannot develop in a similar manner with us and become an England International. I would rather see Cleverly break through next season, and show his quality, than play Aston Villa £28-30 million for Milner.
Spot on Tom.
Obvious the Championship isn’t of the same standard as the PL but Cleverley was clearly a top player in that division so why not see if he can do it at the top level too? My bet is he could!
Interesting that you brought up Milner. There’s a guy who showed his potential ages ago, but is only really making noise at 24. Though I believe we are more patient with young players than some clubs, I have a hard time picturing us waiting on guys like Cleverley and Welbeck to show their promise until 2014. It would be nice if Cleverley has a breakout season next year, but we should keep that as a hope and not an expectation.
Some players just take a longer time to find their stride (quite literally). I just hope these guys can find it a bit quicker. Lord knows Forlan’s success is a painful reminder that greatness often comes later for some than others.
Lastly if SAF does send Welbeck and Cleverley on loan, I hope he sends the two together. Might as well create chemistry while improving their skills at the same time.
I would love to see all these kids make the cut at United but somehow I dont think that will happen. The changing dynamics of football is such that it quite simply wont. The reason is quite simple. Expectations. In the early nineties, United were a good side but failure was still tolerated to an extent. A year in which we won the league cup was considered a solid season with a good trophy. As United became more successful, the weight of expectations rose exponentially. Today, the past season, where we won the League cup and ran Chelsea very close for the title is considered pretty much a failed season. We can sugar coat it all we want but that is the truth. That is one the main reasons that these kids will find it difficult to break through. Because we cant afford to slip up at all, SAF will be reluctant to play these kids too much. That said though, you need only to look at someone like Fletch. The boy is testament to the fact that perseverence pays!
Cheers
ER KIDS WHEN THEY ARE GROWN UPS MAYBE ME BEACUSE I AM DOING VERY WELL AT FOOTBALL I SCORE SO MUCH GOALS AND I DO NOT PLAY FOR UNDER 10S ANY TEAMS I DO NOT PLAY FOR I AM ONLY 9 A BOY CALLED RYAN THAT I KNOW NUMBER 11 A BOY CALLED TAYLOR THAT I KNOW WHO I THINK WILL MAN U S NUMBER 1. I AM GONNA BE NUMBER 10. AND A BOY CALLED SAM THAT I KNOW DEFENDER HE IS GONNA BE NUMBER 2. AND A BOY CALLED ETHAN THAT I KNOW NUMBER 14. AND A BOY CALLED ALEX THAT I KNOW NUMBER 9. AND A BOY CALLED OLLY WHO I KNOW NUMBER 13. AND A BOY CALLED MATT THAT I KNOW NUMBER 12.