The prolific pack of players such as David Beckham, Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, Gary Neville, Phil Neville and Nicky Butt also known as’ Fergie’s Fledglings’ were definitely one of the best of their times and were an inspiration to many of the players of today’s generation. Their skills on the fields was a treat to watch for all the football fans all around the globe. The Manchester United youth academy has since been famous for making their home grown players and their huge success with these players.
There have been many other players who have been nurtured at the Carrington by the United coaching staff but not all of them have turned out to be as good as the next ‘Fledglings’. Though some new players such as James Wilson, Jese Lingard, Andreas Pereira, Adnan Januzaj, and Patrick McNair have performed well so far and United fans would definitely hope for them to take the club to greater heights in the near future
Adnan Januzaj was considered the best young player in the United camp for the 2013-14 season with his remarkable performances for Red Devils. Though it was a disastrous year for them as the defending champions were left at a humiliating 7th place in the Premier League with David Moyes in charge. Januzaj had shined in his debut itself against Sunderland at the Stadium of Light where United were trailing 1-0 and 2 beautiful stunners by this Belgian youngster earned them a 1-2 victory and guaranteed 3 important points.
After his wonders with Manchester United, he was selected in the Belgian national squad for the FIFA World Cup 2014 in Brazil. When Louis Van Gaal took charge of the Red Devils following the dismissal of Moyes, Januzaj didn’t get a lot of chances to prove himself and speculations of him being loaned out to Merseyside club Everton have started since. Many believe it could be the right decision as he might get playing time over there and will improve to be a better player.
The next player alongside Januzaj to have come up from the grassroots is Jese Lingard. He was in the spotlight during the team’s pre-season tour in the summer of 2014. Unfortunately he couldn’t get a place in the 1st team under Moyes and that was something to have possibly reduced his confidence. Though he was 1 of the best players in the England U-21 squad that year and his coach said that he’ll be a star in the making. He was a part of the pre-season tour squad of Man Utd and went on to score in the finals of the International Champions Cup finals against league rivals Liverpool. Also, he had started the 1st game of the 2014-15 Premier League but had to be called off the pitch as he had an injury that left him out of action for a long time. But we’ll be hoping to get a brief look at his skills this season with his current form.
James Wilson is next rising star on the list. Making his debut at Old Trafford against Hull city on the last game of the 2013-14 season, he scored a brilliant goal that had given him the title of next big forward. He also featured in the pre-season tour in the United States and was often picked up in Van Gaal’s 17 man squad in the league campaign. Wilson’s first goal of the 2014–15 season came on 17 January 2015, when he came on as a substitute for Jonny Evans and scored in added time at the end of a 2–0 win at Queens Park Rangers. Most of the fans think of the boss to have given him more playing time so that he could get more chances to improve and might as well help in solving the problem of United’s striking woes.
McNair was first discovered by Manchester United’s Northern Ireland-based club scout Tony Coulter when McNair was 12, and began travelling to train with United during school holidays. He eventually signed for Manchester United in 2011, having impressed club scouts in a midfield role for Ballyclare Colts, but was later converted into a defender by United youth coach Paul McGuinness. While making the transition from midfield to defence, McNair was compared to Michael Carrick by McGuinness.
He made his senior debut for United on 27 September 2014 against West Ham United in a 2–1 victory in the Premier League at Old Trafford, starting the game due to an injury crisis in defence. McNair was praised by fans and manager Louis van Gaal for his solid defending, including a vital headed clearance while United were down to 10 men. Despite his inexperience, Manchester United won all four of the first matches which McNair started. After impressive performances for both the under-21’s and the senior team when United’s centre backs were fully fit, van Gaal praised McNair and suggested he could be a regular in that position for the next 10 years. On 10 February, he signed a new contract with Manchester United, keeping him at the club until June 2017.
One of United’s hottest prospects, Pereira’s stock continued to rise during the 2014/15 campaign as he made two appearances for the first team whilst also signing a new deal that will keep him at Old Trafford until at least June 2018. “I am pleased to have signed my new contract,” the youngster told ManUtd.com. “I would like to thank the manager for giving me the opportunity to join the first-team squad. I made my Premier League debut against Tottenham Hotspur and to play at Old Trafford in front of so many fans was a dream come true. ”He also continued to impress on the international stage too – scoring a superb strike for Brazil in their 2015 Under-20 World Cup final defeat against Serbia – following the Belgian-born playmaker’s international switch to the Selecao in the year prior. Pereira first signed professional terms with United at the start of 2013 after turning 17 and continues to look a bright spark. Always a threat from dead-ball situations, he grew to adapt to the rigours of English football and contributed five goals with the promise of more to follow.
Andreas also captained the 2013 Milk Cup-winning team and was voted Player of the Tournament after helping himself to three goals en route to the final and sparkling when handed the extra responsibility. Instead, he featured for the Reserves and been influential in the UEFA Youth League, pitting his wits against continental opposition. There was still time for some sublime moments of magic in the FA Youth Cup as he hit outstanding strikes at both Burnley and Leicester City. The young schemer scored on his first full appearance at Old Trafford, curling home the winner in the Under-21 clash against West Ham, and produced another spark of genius to settle the Barclays Under-21 Premier League semi-final at Liverpool’s Anfield.
Very comfortable in possession, he is also an excellent set-piece taker and had an impressive record at international level for the Belgium youth team, before opting to represent the country of his parents birth, Brazil. With things progressing well at both club and international level, Pereira’s is a name that could well become familiar on match days at Old Trafford as he earned a regular spot in Louis van Gaal’s squad before international commitments ruled him out of the season’s climax.
These players have had a really had a great start to their senior careers and we can hope them to guide Manchester United to many titles in the future. With their current progress, there is a possibility to have a new ‘Class of 92’
