Manchester United are synonymous with producing some of the greatest young talents the Premier League has ever seen through their academy.
Many will point to the Class of ’92s impact on not just United but football across the land as a shining example of the talents the Reds can produce. However, recent years have seen a resurgence in youngsters pushing into the first team.
Alejandro Garnacho was the first example of the new generation coming through, having been poached from Atletico Madrid, with his performances showcasing why the Reds had answers to their on-field problems in the academy. Kobbie Mainoo and Willy Kambwala were the next to come through, the former managing to impress so much since November that he is now a key player for Gareth Southgate’s England at Euro 2024.
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It is not just academy products who are proving why investing in youth is the way to go. Rasmus Hojlund showed enough in his first season in the Premier League to explain why Erik ten Hag splashed big money on him.
Amad received his chance towards the back end of last season and arguably offered more on the pitch than some big-money signings did. This process is only going to accelerate with Ineos in the boardroom too.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe has already gone on record to suggest he would rather spend considerable money on the ‘next Kylian Mbappe’ than the French World Cup winner. So with this in mind, MEN Sport has taken a look at eight wonderkids who could save United millions in the years to come.
Mpofu was plying his trade at Reading but United completed the swoop for the teenager on Thursday. The forward made his debut for Scotland’s U15s against Spain in April and is thought to be on the radar of England too.
Mexes has Championship goalscoring heritage in his family through his dad Robert Earnshaw. After signing his contract, the teenager was pictured with the No.7 shirt which holds a rich heritage at Old Trafford.
(Image: Instagram/silva.mte)Overy was snapped up from the Australian side Perth Glory with his family moving over to England soon after his departure. The full-back is eligible to play for England and Australia and he has already made an impact against Premier League opposition after impressing against West Ham United in the summer of 2023 in a friendly.
(Image: A-Leagues via Instagram)A deal which looks close to being completed here as the Reds look to snap up the winger from Crystal Palace. He has been labelled as one of the most ‘exciting attacking players in the UK’ by his agency which American rapper Jay Z founded.
The teenager looks like he could be the next teenager to properly break into the United first team. He was named on the bench against Sheffield United but did not make his debut. He has received caps at England U17 level and has earned rave reviews after joining from Watford.
At the top end of the wonderkid ‘spectrum’ is Collyer but you would feel this season will be his big chance to breakout. A defensive midfielder by trade, the former Brighton and Hove Albion prospect could be called upon next season especially if Casemiro leaves and no adequate replacement is found.
(Image: Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images.)There is plenty of hype around this young man with clips of his talents going viral on a regular basis. He signed his first professional contract in April and the right winger could be utilised in the Premier League 2 next season with a view to bringing him into the first team.
(Image: Manchester United FC)He is still very young but Rooney has shown signs he could live up to his father’s talents in the future. The youngster has an eye for goal and in March bagged a hat-trick and two assists in the 6-4 victory over Everton for United’s U14s.
(Image: kairooney.10)