Manchester United have seen some fantastic youth prospects come through the ranks over the years. Although recent academy products haven’t been as good as the ones of yesteryear, they have still managed to see some degree of first team action. The likes of Adnan Januzaj, Paddy McNair and James Wilson spring to mind.
There are still some good young prospects that are coming through at Carrington, and they are all competing for places in Louis van Gaal’s plans this season. Some of the more famous ones include Andreas Pereira, Timothy Fosu-Mensah and last season’s Jimmy Murphy Young Player of the Year, Axel Tuanzebe. Here are five other lesser-known youngsters that United fans should be looking out for this season:
Cameron Borthwick-Jackson
A strong, tall, athletic defender, Borthwick-Jackson is solid on the ball and his versatility is an asset, with the 18-year old being able to play in the centre of defence, left-back and in defensive midfield. His best traits are his athleticism and ball-playing ability, and as a player he would remind you of a left-footed Rio Ferdinand type of centre-back. Borthwick-Jackson has been capped by the England U16s and U17s, proving that he is among the top players of his age group in the centre-back position. Borthwick-Jackson will probably be in between the U18 and U21 sides this season, and some good performances would go a long way to earning himself a short term loan deal at another side next fall.
Demetri Mitchell
A fast, tricky winger, Mitchell is clever on the ball and a natural creator at the heart of his play. He is good with both feet, and can shoot, cross, dribble and pass with either foot. This sees him play most on the left wing, drifting inside to shoot on his right foot. If the team is struggling to create chances, Mitchell comes deep to pick up the ball. This trait makes him very visible at youth level, and reminds people of when Adnan Januzaj first burst on the scene. Mitchell has been a regular at youth level, earning 12 U17 caps since 2013, and 2 caps for the U18s. He was a starter when England U17s won the European Championship last May, beating the Netherlands in the final, and could be a surprise inclusion in the Reds’ pre-season tour to the United States this summer.
RoShaun Williams
Many will not have heard the name of this 16-year old, but that hasn’t stopped him from breaking all sorts of records in his quest for a first team future at Old Trafford. Williams is best known for his explosive pace and last summer he broke a 25-year old school sprinting record held by Olympic gold medallist Darren Campbell. Despite his age, Williams became an integral part of the U18 side last season, forming a partnership in the centre of defence alongside Tuanzebe, playing 26 times and also slotting in at right-back on a number of occasions. His impressive performances earned him a call up to the U21 side for the final game of the season, playing 23 minutes against Manchester City. If he continues to develop at the rate that he has currently, he could be destined for greatness at the Theatre of Dreams.
Callum Gribbin
Gribbin emerged this past season as a vital cog in the wheel of the U18 side, and just like Williams, the 16-year old has already featured for the U21s. Although he lacks the pace to bomb past defenders on the wing, he is blessed with incredible technique, and is extremely comfortable in tight spaces, with his ball control getting him out of tricky situations. He has been likened to Lionel Messi due to his ability to embark on mazy dribbling runs. Gribbin has much to improve on, such as his frail physique and his work rate, but those things will develop with age. Gribbin certainly seems to have a unique swagger when he plays, and certainly has huge potential. An extremely outside bet for the Reds’ pre-season tour to the United States, United fans should certainly look out for his name next season.
Marcus Rashford
Rashford also emerged this past season alongside Gribbin in the U18 side. A tricky, pacey winger-cum-forward, he was a regular in the side from Christmas onwards. Just like Wayne Rooney, Rashford likes to drop deep to collect the ball and ignite attacks. The 17-year old already has a very mature footballing brain for his age, and academy observers have been impressed by his season in the U18 side, praising him for his adjustment to playing against older and stronger opponents. His finishing and composure needs some work, but if Rashford continues to develop as he has done so far, he is likely to become a key player in the U18s alongside the likes of Gribbin and Williams, and eventually be promoted to the U21s in the near future with a view to breaking into Louis van Gaal’s first team plans.
