Post by dazjoe on Sept 30, 2021 21:19:31 GMT
I mean, when was the last time we won anything of note at youth level? i worry we big these lads up because we're desperate for the next class of 92 style break through
I know what you mean but the step up from U23 level to 1st team is massive.
The likes of Chong and Gomes had rave reviews but underwhelmed when given opportunities, and look like joining the likes of Wilson, Macheda, Pearson, etc as players you really thought could kick on but ended up regressing.
But, if just one player from any U23 group makes it into the United first team as a regular, that's a huge achievement. To have Rashford, Greenwood, Lingard, Henderson, McTominay, and (technically, although he took the roundabout route) Heaton all in the squad, that's a lot more than most clubs. You could argue Pogba too, yeah we signed him but still had to go through the youth team. Throw in Tuanzebe and Williams out on loan who would have been in and around the squad if they'd stayed, that would have been more than a 3rd of the squad from our youth set up. Then you have the likes of Welbeck and Keane who left but were good enough to stay, and that equates to huge success from our youth set up over just the last 15 years or so.
Garner still has a chance here I reckon. Shoretire, Hannibal, Elanga have definite chances. Laird maybe. Mengi probably not but lets see how he does this season.
