From Bobby Charlton to David Beckham, Nobby Stiles to Gary Neville, Ryan Giggs to Marcus Rashford, Manchester United has a proud history of developing young players and giving them their chance in the first-team.
Two of United’s truly great sides have been built on an exciting crop of outstanding youngsters from the club’s academy system – the Busby Babes and the Class of ’92 – and there has been a homegrown player in every Manchester United first-team squad since 30 October 1937.
That is a staggering achievement but are there any promising youngsters currently in the United setup who can become the next generation of Red Devils icons and pave the way for the club to return to the very top?
Football FanCast take a look at the members of Manchester United’s U23 squad that might have a chance of doing just that by examining their performances Premier League 2 this season, before asking supporters which prospect they believe has got the best chance of making it at Old Trafford.
Joe Riley
Riley is a versatile player, who can play in on either flank, in either defence or midfield. He is the captain of the Under-23 side and scored a vital goal in a comeback win over Liverpool last Friday.
He started off as a winger but looks more comfortable at full-back now and was given his first-team debut under Louis van Gaal against Shrewsbury in the FA Cup in 2016 before playing again that season in the Europa League.
Ahead of the FA Cup tie against Yeovil this season, Riley trained with the United first-team and his 45 tackles is more than anyone else has mustered in PL2 this campaign.
Last term, a loan move to Sheffield United was cut short after he sustained a freak shoulder injury by colliding with a fence.
What the experts say – Niven Marston from ManUNews: “After LVG gave Riley his debut back in 2016, one might have expected the defender to be playing more regular first-team football by now. As it turns out, the 21-year-old has seen his chances dry up.
“Come the start of next season, both Antonio Valencia and Ashley Young will be at the tender age of 33; paired with the impending departures of Luke Shaw, Darmian and Daley Blind, perhaps Mourinho will look to invest in the full-back positions as a matter of urgency this summer.
“The Portuguese might also look to his youth set-up for a hand in replacing the departed, so it is possible Riley will find himself being given a chance. However, with the competition for places so fierce, and on-loan defender Timothy Fosu-Mensah impressing at Crystal Palace this season, it is hard to see how Riley will make it in the first-team at United. Verdict – miss.”
Demetri Mitchell
Having made his senior United debut on the final day of last season, Mitchell enjoyed a good start to Premier League 2 action this campaign, netting four goals from thirteen appearances.
The 21-year-old can play at either left back or left midfield and was loaned to Scottish Premier League side Hearts in the January transfer window, where he has made 7 appearances so far.
That taste of Scottish football, which may be low on quality but is certainly high on intensity, competitiveness and speed, will do wonders for the player’s development and prospects of earning a first-team spot at Old Trafford.
He must be watching on intently as Mourinho toils to resolve his left-back situation, currently preferring makeshift full-back Ashley Young.
What the experts say – Niven Marston from ManUNews: “Demetri Mitchell has made his name at Manchester United as one of the most promising left-backs at the club. This season, Mitchell has been one of few bright sparks in United’s U23 squad, scoring an impressive 4 goals in 13 appearances whilst playing predominantly as a defender.
“All the signs remain positive that Mitchell can kick on and push himself into Mourinho’s first-team next season. He has the stamina to compete in the Premier League, as well as the blistering pace and power required to make it as a United full-back.
“Equally as importantly though, the youngster has consistently displayed his ability to deliver crosses into dangerous areas. Combine this with his eye for goal and solid defensive capabilities, and United could potentially have a very exciting player on their hands. Verdict – hit.”
Zachary Dearnley
Dearnley was plagued by hamstring injuries in his development phase but recovered from those persistent issues to impress Mourinho towards the back end of last season.
United’s Under-18 coach Kieran McKenna said that “everyone speaks very highly of him”, while Tony Park said he “changed the game” in an Under-23 match against Spurs last season, under the watchful eye of Mourinho.
The Sheffield-born player can play on either wing but has also got experience of playing as a centre-forward and, still only 19, has potential if he can stay clear of injuries and maybe enjoy a loan spell.
What the experts say – Niven Marston from ManUNews: “Despite being a highly-rated winger, who can play with both feet on either side of the midfield, Dearnley has more recently been deployed as a centre forward. With bags of pace and skill, combined with an eye for goal, he has the ability to take on players with ease.
“He has suffered with injury troubles in the past, but the Englishman looks to have put that behind him this season. If he can stay fit and continue to go from strength to strength, there is absolutely no reason why Dearnley can’t join Jose Mourinho and his squad during this summer’s pre-season tour of America. Impress there, and we might just see the youngster break into the first-team during the 18/19 season. Verdict – hit.”
Angel Gomes
Still only 17, Gomes is the youngest of these four prospects but he is also arguably the most exciting. The attacking midfielder is the cousin of former United man Nani and has already made his first-team bow; against Palace on the final day of last season like Mitchell.
He has captained England at Under-16, 17 and 18 level and has already featured four times for the Under-23s, despite his tender age.
His speed, imagination and creativity has caught the eye and while he clearly has plenty more to learn before he can break into the first-team, there is no doubt that he is a hugely exciting prospect.
What the experts say – Niven Marston from ManUNews: “Gomes is perhaps the most well known Manchester United youth player around. The 2016/17 season saw Gomes become the youngest Manchester United player ever to win the Jimmy Murphy Young Player of the Year award, become the youngest senior debutant for United since Duncan Edwards and the first player born in this millennium to play in the Premier League. He was also part of the England squad that won last summer’s U17 World Cup. Quite impressive when you consider that this all came when the attacking midfielder was still a scholar at United and aged just 16.
“Gomes has displayed some of the most natural footballing ability the club has ever seen at youth level. You only have to search the youngster’s name on YouTube to see endless compilations of him tearing opposition apart with his exquisite ball control, passing range and outrageous skills. That’s not to mention sheer danger he possesses in front of goal, which has seen him net an incredible 26 goals and foot 13 assists in just 42 appearances during the 15/16 and 16/17 seasons for the U18s. Verdict – hit.”
So, United fans, which of these prospects has the best chance of becoming a first-team star at Old Trafford? Let us know by voting in the poll below…