5 Manchester United youngsters who deserve a chance in the 1st team

Manchester United are currently having a season to forget but the club continues to win acclaim for their development of young players. Jonny Evans, Tom Cleverley, Danny Welbeck and Adnan Januzajare some players who have successfully broken into the first team after playing for the club's youth ranks. Here is a list of 5 young Reds who deseve a chance to prove themselves in the first team.

#1 Nick Powell

The young midfielder announced himself to the world with a brilliant 25-yeard goal against Wigan Athletic on his Manchester United debut. Former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson purchased Powell from Crewe Alexandria for £4 million and the youngster took just 1 game to score his first goal for United. The 19-year-old is currently on loan at the same club he scored against where he has amassed a total of 10 goals and is one of Wigan's star players.

It won't be long before David Moyes gives him a place in the first team next season. The greatest part is that Powell plays at the center of the midfield as an attacking midfielder, the area where Manchester United's vunerabilities lie. While it is too soon to compare Nick to the legendary Paul Scholes there is strong feeling at Old Trafford that Powell can hav the same impact the ginger haired magician had at Old Trafford.

#2 Jesse Lingard

Another player who's generating excitment among United's youth team coaches is Jesse Lingard. He had an extremely fruitful time during Manchester United's pre-season tour where he was their top scorer with four goals in as many games. The 21-year-old has been praised for his pace and vision as an attacking midfielder/ forward which could be extremely useful in the future. He was loaned out to Championship side Birmingham City last season where he had a debut to remember when he scored all of his team's four goals.Lingard ended his loan spell with 6 goals in 13 appearances for Birmingham.

The youngster is now on loan at Brighton until the end of the season where he hopes to add to his already remarkable goal tally. Manchester United's midfield currently has some aging players which gives Lingard some hope for the future. It can be safely said that Lingard will surely make some appearances for United next season.

#3 Angelo Henriquez

The Chilean is one of United's most promising strikers. Henriquez arrived at Old Trafford back in 2012 after netting 11 goals for former club Univesidad de Chile. The striker replicated his performances for United's youth teams where he gained acclaim for his performance against the Newcastle United Under-21's. Henriquez is now on loan with Spainish side Real Zaragoza where he has scored 5 goals in 15 appearances.

Robin Van Persie is already in his 30's and will call time on his career in a few years giving Henriquez a chance to shine at Old Trafford. The teenage forward has scored a remarakble 21 goals in 17 appearances for his country's Under-20 team and has already broken into the national team where he has so far scored 2 goals in 3 appearances. United do not need to splash out on a world class striker as they already have one in Henriquez.

#4 Michael Keane

The talented defender won the Manchester United's Reserve Player of the Year Award in 2012 for his performance with the Under-1 team. Keane has been praised for his tackling abilities and positioning which are some traits of a great center back. The 21-year-old also has a knack for scoring goals and has netted 3 goals in 8 appearances for the England Under-21 team.

Keane got a taste of first team football back in 2012 during the League Cup game against Newcastle United and won the praise of his team-mates espcially Darren Fletcher who called him "fantastic". Two of Manchester United's long time centerbacks are set to leave at the end of this season giving Keane a golden opportunity to break into the first team. If his performances are anything to go by then Michael will do just that.

#5 Saidy Janko

Janko's arrival on deadline day this season was overshadowed by the signing of Marouane Fellaini but that didn't seem to dent the youngster's spirits. The 18-year-old arrived at Old Trafford after impressing United scouts with his performance for FC Zurich in the Blue Stars Cup. The Swiss player is extremely versatile and is being tipped as the next big thing waiting to emerge from United's academy.

Janko has been impressive for the Under-19 team in the UEFA Youth League and has already broken into the Under-21 team. The teenager is can play in a number of positions including rightback, right winger and as a right sided midfielder. United legend Paul Scholes was impressed by the youngster recently and stated that he will get a chance in the first team in a few years.