11 promising stars From Manchester United Academy who can make it on the big stage

United's academy players have been a consistent part of the senior squad for decades.

When we talk about the Manchester United Academy, what is the first thing comes to mind? Yes of course! The famous class of '92 that was the vision shared by the legendary Sir Alex Ferguson and late Eric Harrison. Manchester United is all about their Academy culture and building characters from the Academy. The vision of Sir Alex Ferguson and Eric Harrison still runs in United Veins.

The likes of George Best, Duncan Edwards, Bobby Charlton, Ryan Giggs, David Beckham, Nicky Butt, Paul Scholes, Gary Neville, Phil Neville, Marcus Rashford, Jesse Lingard, Paul Pogba, Darren Fletcher, Wes Brown, Mark Hughes, and Jonny Evans all came through academy ranks. Their record homegrown talent may never again reach the glory days of the Class of '92, but they still know a thing or two about producing top quality youngsters.

In fact, they are the only English Club to include at least one academy graduate in every Matchday squad since 1938. So let's find out what they have for the future.


#1 Goalkeeper - Matej Kovar

Matej Kovar in action during the UEFA Youth League match between Juventus U19s and Manchester United U19s on November 7, 2018, in Turin, Italy.
Matej Kovar in action during the UEFA Youth League match between Juventus U19s and Manchester United U19s on November 7, 2018, in Turin, Italy.

The youngster was signed by Manchester United after a successful trial on deadline day in January 2018 having impressed with FC Slovacko at youth level. Before turning for United he also had trials West Ham United Academy. The Czech Youth international competed for the gloves at U-18 level and also made his debut with U-23 team at Old Trafford against Everton and is now a regular for Ricky Sbragia's U-23 side.

However, arguably the most important tool in a keeper's locker is his reflexes which is the highlighted part of Kovar's game. The youngster is also known for his confident ball playing Ability and decision making which is considered an important trait for modern goalkeepers.

Surely the Czech youngster can hit the heights at Manchester United and follow the footsteps of legendary fellow countryman Peter Cech to the path of glory and success.

#2 Defender - Brandon Williams

Brandon Williams in action away to Leicester City in a friendly U-18 match
Brandon Williams in action away to Leicester City in a friendly U-18 match

The local lad started his career with Manchester United and was promoted to United U-18's as a Scholar in July 2017. He made his United U-18 debut as a late substitute in a 4-2 defeat to Reading.

The left-back has emerged as a vital member of the successful Under-18s team that captured the Premier League North title recently and in April 2018 he was rewarded with his first professional contract by the Club.

The Player is known for his dribbling skills, impressive pace, acceleration, passing skill, and tackling. He can be seen as a successful heir of Luke Shaw in the future if he continues to perform in the same manner. He is surely in the books of Ole Gunner Solskjaer. but United fans have to wait to see the youngster in action at Old Trafford.

#3 Defender - Ethan Laird

Ethan Laird against Blackburn Rovers Under-18 during Manchester United 1-4 Victory away from home.
Ethan Laird against Blackburn Rovers Under-18 during Manchester United 1-4 Victory away from home.

Just like Brandon Williams, he is also a local lad who has been at the club since he was very young and has played through various ranks at the club. The full-back, who frequently plays as a right-back, is blessed with enormous pace and acceleration which helps him in going forward and linking with the attack.

A shining spell in 2017/18 gave him a chance to represent England at U-17 level and leave his mark.

He is a versatile defender who can play as a center-back and full-back at both sides. The player is also gifted with enormous pace, acceleration, and an impressive work rate. His ability to easily link up with the attack which makes him essential troop for modern football.

Soon United fans can see him tearing down the wings at Old Trafford.

#4 Defender - Lee O'Connor

Lee O'Connor Manchester United U-23
Lee O'Connor Manchester United U-23

A promising and exciting young Irish Blood rated as one of the hottest property in his age group. He arrived at United in 2016 and shares his birthplace with former United player John O'Shea.

Upon joining United, he quickly made his impact and soon earned his place in United U-23. The youngster captained Ireland at youth level and helped the team reach Euros Elite round by registering himself on the scoresheet during their victory over Serbia in 2017. He was also a part of the team who lifted U-18 Premier League North trophy and was nominated for Jimmy Murphy Young player of the year award.

He mainly plays as a center-back and known for his tackling, passing, technique and heading abilities.

He is regarded as one of the hottest property of European Football and soon United fans can be seen singing his name from Stretford End.

#5 Defender - Di'Shon Bernard

Di'Shon Bernard in training with Manchester United at Aon Training Complex.
Di'Shon
Bernard in training with Manchester United at Aon Training Complex.

The young Englishman was signed by Manchester United from Chelsea in summer of 2017 following a successful trial with the club a few months earlier. The defender spent some time at the Aon training complex on trial around the turn of the year and impressed sufficiently to have a chance with Manchester United.

Upon his arrival, he made 9 appearances for Man United U-18 and made himself regular for the end of the campaign 17/18. He was also included by Kieran McKenna for the Dallas Cup squad the for United States. He also started against his former club Chelsea in the national league final.

He basically plays in center-back and has good physical to win dual against attackers. He is also known for his jumping and heading.

If molded rightly, he will surely be an Old Trafford hit.

#6 Midfielder - James Garner

James Garner in action as a late substitute during his Man United debut against Crystal Palace in a 3-1 victory.
James Garner in action as a late substitute during his Man United debut against Crystal Palace in a 3-1 victory.

Hailed as 'The Next Michael Carrick' by Manchester United Manager Ole Gunner Solskjaer, the English man is surely going to make it at the big stage. During his first full season with United's U-18, he played up front to the 4 man defence at the centre, making a total of 24 appearance for his side and scoring 3 times.

He was handed the captain armband upon the absence of the regular captain Lee O'Hara and impressed coaching staff with his leadership qualities and outstanding work rate. He captained the England U-17 side during a semi-final run in the European championship. He was also shortlisted for Jimmy Murphy Young Player of the year award.

He is known for his excellent vision, first touch, technique and work rate. He also has a 'dictates tempo' player trait, which means he loves to control games from the centre of the pitch.

Under the management of United Legend Ole Gunner Solskjaer, who knows the academy culture of Man United, James Garner will surely shine.

#7 Midfielder - Dylan Levitt

Dylan Levitt during Under 18 match for Manchester United
Dylan Levitt during Under 18 match for Manchester United

A classical Welshman who played with the Wales international team at various youth levels known for his attacking ability in the center of the park. He signed his first United Professional contract in 2018.

He was an integral part of the U-18 team during the Premier League North Championship Victory in 17/18, scoring important goals in the process.

He mainly plays as a central midfielder but can also play as a defensive troop or as an advanced midfielder if required. He is known for his eye for the goal, determination, teamwork, passing, and technique.

He can be a vital troop for Man United in the coming future. Surely, he can get minutes for Manchester United Cup fixtures in upcoming season when rotation for first-team players is important. He can play in place of Paul Pogba and have his chance to shine.

#8 Midfielder - Angel Gomes

Angel Gomes in action during his Senior team debut against Crystal Palace in Premier League 2017.
Angel Gomes in action during his Senior team debut against Crystal Palace in Premier League 2017.

The Englishman has given his debut for Manchester United Senior team against Crystal Palace back then in 2017 by Portuguese tactician Jose Mourinho. He is an exciting youth talent who likes to play as a no. 10 with a wide range of passing, grown-up through the ranks of Manchester United academy. He claimed his first hattrick against Everton before turning 16.

He captained the English U-17 side in a memorable Croatia Cup Victory by winning all 3 games and also thrashing Germany 8-1. He was also the part of England U-17 World Cup triumph in 2017. With his impressive stats of 16/17 season, he was rewarded with the Jimmy Murphy Player of the Year award for 2017. Now he is a regular for U-23 side playing as a No.10 and acting as a valuable asset for the team.

The youngster is known for his wide range of passing, technique, pace, dribbling, flair, and composure, but he lacks the physical side of the game and the Premier Leauge thrives on physicality.

So he need to work on that before making it to big stage.

#9 Winger - Tahith Chong

Tahith Chong in action
Tahith
Chong in action

By now, everyone knows Tahith Chong. The shaggy hair and athletic-natured youngster was signed from Dutch side Feyenoord in July 2017 where he was rated as one of Europe's hottest properties.

In his first season with U-18 he scored a stunner against Southampton at Old Trafford which was unfortunately club's only goal in FA Youth Cup defeat. The Dutchman plays mainly as a right winger with his thunderstorm pace. His incredible form with U-18 in UEFA Youth leauge gave him a chance to shine for U-23 where he is a regular now. He won the Jimmy Murphy Player of the season award in 2018 beating the competition from James Garner and Lee O'Connor.

He is blessed with high hitting pace and is known for his determination, aggression, and agility.

With United fans screaming for a perfect right winger, he could be the answer.

#10 Winger - Joshua Bohui

Joshua Bohui in action for Manchester United U23 against Porto B during the Premier League International Cup Quarter Final
Joshua Bohui in action for Manchester United U23 against Porto B during the Premier League International Cup Quarter Final

The English youngster completed a move from Brentford when he was representing Brentford U-21 at the age of just 15. He played both as a left-sided winger and center- forward during his U-18 term with United in which he managed 6 goals in 25 appearances. After that, he got the chance to represent Ricky Sbragia's U-23 where he is playing on a regular basis.

With his impressive performances, Barcelona representatives are continuously scouting him. The tug of war for his services continues between England, France and, Ivory Coast because he is applicable for the countries.

He is known for his impressive work rate, speed, agility, and physicality which he uses to hold up the ball in difficult situations and to feed his fellow teammates. His traits are similar to United No. 9 Lukaku.

#11 Striker - Mason Greenwood

Mason Greenwood in action for Man United U-18 Side
Mason Greenwood in action for Man United U-18 Side

An exciting two-footed striker who has been compared with Pablo Dybala, and top scorer of Premier league North for 2017/18 season triumph.

He evolved from the No. 10 Role to a more advanced role of center-forward. A player who can create and score with both feet, he scored 17 goals in 17 starts during an impressive 2017/18 season and was called up by England U-18 international team.

He is known for his ability with both feet, finishing, vision, flair, first touch and speed which are dream stats for a striker.

With all the spotlight on him, he can soon follow the footsteps of Marcus Rashford under the management of Ole Gunner Solskjaer who made it clear that he wants to bring some academy lads to the senior team.

Ole Gunnar Solskjær has named six teenagers, including Mason Greenwood, and eight academy graduates in his traveling squad to PSG.

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Edited by Nnanna Mba
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