As Manchester United won the FA Youth Cup last year there was much excitement.
The youngsters played good football, beating top teams on the way to claiming the club’s 10th title and comparisons were inevitably drawn with the class of 1992 also known as ‘Fergie Fledglings’.
As in ’92 it was rare to see such a excellent crop of players come through at the same time and thus big things are expected of them by fans and Sir Alex Ferguson as well.
This season the stars of that team have continued to progress and make their way in the game and Sir Alex says now the challenge is to force their way into his plans:
“The team that won the FA Youth Cup last year were almost all local boys and they’re all starting to emerge in their own different ways.
“Most of them have been involved in the first-team squad this season; the two Keanes (Michael and Will), Larnell Cole, Jesse Lingaard, Zeki Fryers, Paul Pogba and young Ryan Tunnicliffe, who is at Peterborough and playing regularly in the Championship at the age of 18. That’s good going.
“Obviously the difference is that in 1992 that group all got into the first-team at more or less the same time and managed to stay in it.
“That’s the big test for these young players and it will be interesting to see if they manage it.”
Its great to see young players come through the academy, and its definitely the way forward for Man Utd. We are not going to compete with the spending levels of Man City, Chelsea and Real Madrid. I don’t think that the fault of the Glazers, its just shouldn’t be our way to spend £40-50+ on one player, or £300-400 million in 2-3 years on new players.
The success of Welbeck and Cleverley has been a great benefit this season. I know Cleverley been injured, but he showed enough at the start of the season to show what qualities he has. Johnny Evans got a lot of stick last season, and at times it was justified, but he has improved this season. The run of games seems to be helping him because his form is getting better. Zeki Fryers has done well when called upon and I can see him getting more opportunities. He will provide good cover and competition to Patrice Evra.
I hope we can find an agreement with Paul Pogba because he definitely is a player I can see breaking through. His has bad agents now so its hard. Hopefully he uses his brain and realises that his progress and career is better staying at Man Utd. He will get more chances once he signs a new contract.