Manchester United, Youth, Trust & Carrington
Manchester United have decided against signing another forward after the departures of Marcus Rashford and Antony in the final days of the Premier League’s transfer window, citing the decision to not want to delve into the world of panic buys again, which has been a staple of the Glazer ownership over the last ten years. The injury to Lisandro Martinez yesterday against Crystal Palace was another blow, but again, one the club decided not to be hasty over with panic, instead happy to contend with what they currently have in the squad for the remainder of the campaign, which involves a possible FA Cup run and the next phase of the Europa League, after an impressive league phase finish.
Although the decision to not sign Mathys Tel or another forward, despite interest in Lorran Lucas and Oscar Gloukh, has not been well received by the fans, there may be hope for Manchester United and their supporters. Barcelona over the last 12-18 months has put a lot of trust in their academy, with the likes of Pau Curbasi, Fermin Lopez, Marc Casado and Lamine Yamal all key players in the first team, coming from their highly rated world-famous academy, La Masia. Other players are playing roles off the bench too for the club, with Pau Victor and Gerard Martin recently breaking into the first team squad, which is a further sign of the trust put in the youth by the club. Barcelona are currently third in La Liga and finished second in the league phase of the UCL.
Trust in Carrington
It’s a level of trust Manchester United may have to put in their academy over the coming months, as key injuries, especially in the forward line, may leave them no choice. There are a number of player’s who are highly rated within the academy at Carrington, some younger and some who are becoming accustomed to the men’s game due to their exposure in the under 21’s at the club. United need a goalscorer. They have two in the academy, with one being one of the most exciting and highly rated young goalscorers in the whole of academy football in England, and the other being subject to interest from Italian club Como today in the final hours of the window.Â
Chido Obi-Martin and Gabriele Biancheri are the names of those two players, and they may see minutes for the first team in the coming months if Manchester United continues to find it difficult in front of goal, while also trying to rotate Joshua Zirkzee and Rasmus Hojlund in a manner that limits injuries. Hojlund has a small history of muscle-related injuries during his time in England, and failure to manage that in the coming weeks could result in a repeat occurrence, which, despite his form this season, is something the club will wish to avoid.
Binacheri, 18, has scored 16 goals in 17 games this season and can operate as a center forward or off the left, which again could be useful as Alejandro Garnacho is anticipated to play nearly every game for United between now and the end of the season. Biancheri is described as a goal poacher, with a good sense of movement in the box, which is something the first team seems to lack, although chance creation for Hojlund and Zirkzee has been at an all-time low in recent weeks, with both having similar issues during their cameos on the pitch. Ruben Amorim has put this down to an overall team issue as opposed to the lack of quality of both forwards, with this sentiment also repeated by Lisandro Martinez in a recent interview too.
Chido is a different profile from Biancheri and possesses a bit more of the physical side of the game United has been lacking. The issue is, his size, while commendable, isn’t a true marker of how strong he may be. At just 17 years old, Chido is unlikely to have filled his body out completely and is unlikely to be used to the men’s game just yet. His current exposure in the 21’s is expected to prepare him for that, and his last two games have been impressive in that regard, but there is a feeling that if United were to call on one of those players right now, Biancheri, when he returns from injury, could be the one they turn to.
Midfield & Defensive reinforcements
Outside of the striking front, in terms of creative players in wide or central areas, there is an abundance of those within the grounds of Carrington. James Scanlon, who has been in impressive form this season and is already an international footballer for Gibraltar, possesses firsthand experience of the differences between academy football and the men’s game, which can initially surprise players.
Bendito Mantato is someone else who could have a lot to offer the first-team squad. Mantato could operate as a left ten, given his experience playing further up the pitch with the youth sides, but if Amorim was to bring him into the first team, right or left wing-back is expected to be where he is deployed. United are struggling to win games playing full-backs at wing-back, and adding that pace and power in the wide areas is pivotal to the future success of this system under the Portuguese manager. Mantato is someone who can provide that, and his performances for the 18’s over the last year are suggesting he’s not far from being able to make a difference in the Premier League for United.
Sekou Kone is an obvious name that is expected to become a first-team player, but as those in the 21’s work on building the midfielder’s strength and fitness over the coming weeks, completing just his first 90 minutes for the club last week against Oldham, there is another name in the middle of the park for the 21’s who could make a difference in the first team. Jack Moorhouse has impressed for a number of seasons at the club, and his continued growth at the higher age group, accompanied by his impressive skill set, may mean he is a player Ruben Amorim could turn to before the end of May if United becomes short in midfield.
Jayce Fitzgerald is another player who has set the world alight in the academy and has also been a part of first-team training, taking part in a number of sessions last season under Erik ten Hag, as well as some under the new manager Ruben Amorim. Fitzgerald has also been involved in the first-team squad against Chelsea last November and has featured as a center back too during his time in the academy. Amorim loves versatility, and Jayce is exactly that, which may stand to him in the coming months if he can break into the first team.
Godwill Kukonki, the next academy debutant?
The trust the club showed in Kobbie Mainoo can and should be placed in another academy graduate between now and the end of the season. Godwill Kukonki has been named in the matchday squad on a number of occasions this season, and there seems to be a belief that if anyone makes their debut from Carrington under Amorim this season, it will be the left center-back. Kukonki, despite his age, looked like he belonged in first-team training and already looks to be growing into his intimidating six-foot-five stature, which will stand to him in the physically demanding world of the Premier League.
Ayden Heaven and Kukonki will feature for United this season. The injury to Lisandro Martinez yesterday, which has now been confirmed to be an ACL, ensures that at least one of those left-footed defenders will make one or even several appearances for the first team to fill the gap and profile that the Argentinian World Cup-winning defender has left behind due to his injury.
It seems cliche, but United NEEDS to trust the kids. The academy is good enough. It’s been nurtured by some of the best coaches in the country, spearheaded by Nick Cox, with the messages being put across by Travis Binnion and Adam Lawrence to an extremely high level, leading to a Premier League North victory last summer as well as the overall Premier League cup victory, beating Chelsea in the final. This is one of the best academies in the country; it’s time United made the club feel whole again and brought back the belief in youth that makes this club one of the most special football institutions on the planet.
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