7 Manchester United youth prospects who can replicate 'The Class of 92'

Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs, David Beckham, Gary Neville, Phil Neville and Nicky Butt. The spelling out of the names, in whichever order one deems fit, will undoubtedly result in the drawing up of famed ‘The Class of 92’ in every football fan’s mind.Perhaps the greatest group of players to have come up together through the youth ranks of any football club along with Ajax’s 1995 batch, Manchester United’s class of 92 have already etched their names in the pinnacles of football history.Come 2015, Manchester United fans all over the world have been waiting for their next homegrown hero to come up from the club’s famous Carrington training grounds. The two decades in between, have had glimmers of hope but failed to materialize owing to various circumstances.In recent memory, players like Tom Cleverley, Darren Gibson and Danny Welbeck have all fizzled out after showing initial promise. Ravel Morrison, who was often labelled as the best academy prospect since the Class of 92, ended up committing a career suicide and the likes of Paul Pogba moved on to ply his trade at Juventus.The current crop of Manchester United youth products knocking at the doors of Louis van Gaal’s first team has shown serious promise. Despite United having an uninspiring 2014-15 campaign, the likes of Adnan Januzaj, Paddy McNair, Andreas Pereira, Tyler Blackett, Reece James and James Wilson have impressed whenever called upon.While hoping the current prodigies scale the heights set by the legendary class of 92, Sportskeeda scouts the best prospects in the present Manchester United youth setup who can make it big.Note: Only players under the age of 21 yet to make an appearance in the Premier League have been considered.

#1 Demetri Mitchell

Position: Winger

Age: 18

Player similar to: Raheem Sterling/Alexis Sanchez

Demetri Mitchell turned 18 this January and has been the centrepiece for the United U18 team since he started appearing for them.

The England U18 international is fast, tricky, intelligent and a creator at his core. Though naturally a winger, Mitchell has been deployed as a striker often. The attacker also loves to dribble and take defenders on.

The youngsters decision-making maybe a bit off at times and can be criticised for going for the spectacular one time too many or hogging the ball. But on his day, he is certainly capable of the extraordinary.

Mitchell likes to influence games and tends to wander around the pitch in search of the ball. He is equally comfortable shooting, passing or crossing with either feet. The teenager is very highly rated in the United dressing room and even Southampton boss Ronald Koeman was rumoured to have been interested in taking him on loan this summer.

This cracking goal against Bayern Munich U18S demonstrates Mitchell’s talent.

#2 Timothy Fosu-Mensah

Position: Centre-back/Central midfielder

Age: 17

Player Similar to: Paul Pogba, Vincent Kompany

Timothy Fosu-Mensah arrived at United from the coveted Ajax Academy in Netherlands after current United manager Louis van Gaal highly recommended the youngster.

Mensah, who has represented the Netherlands youth team in both U16 and U17 levels, is equally adept playing both as a centre-back and central midfielder.

United fans who saw Mensah train at the Carrington, before he actually appeared from the U18 team, couldn’t help but draw similarities to Paul Pogba. The hype was soon answered with the teenager making his debut for the U18 team as a CM and immediately showing similarities to Juventus’ French superstar, who left Manchester for Turin.

Mensah is a strong tackler with decent pace and passing. What sets the former Ajax youth player apart is his composure on the ball and the ability to help out the defence and attack in tandem.

If developed with proper attention and care, Mensah has the ability to turn into a complete central midfielder like Pogba or an athletic and imposing defender in the mould of Vincent Kompany. Take your pick.

#3 Ben Pearson

Ben Pearson is the classical midfield terrier

Position: Central Midfielder

Age: 20

Player Similar to: Paul Scholes/Owen Hargreaves

The 20-year-old is a defensive midfielder for Warren Joyce’s U21 side. Pearson arrived at United back in 2004 and was likened to the legendary Paul Scholes during the early stages of his development.

However, Oldham born midfielder slowly transformed in more of a Owen Hargreaves mould. Pearson, who turned 20 this January, is an uncompromising tackler and can be deceptively quick over short distances.

He seems to enjoy doing the dirty work in the midfield to protect his defence. Pearson is also a great passer of the ball and can pick up free team-mates with ease. The 2012/13 Jimmy Murphy Young Player of the Year winner is currently on loan to Barnsley in the League One and has impressed with his performances there.

The England Youth international isn’t shy on the ball either and can run with it if necessary.

Check out this wonderful goal for Barnsley where the midfielder runs with the ball from his own defence to score.

#4 Saidy Janko

Position: Anywhere on the right

Age: 19

Player similar to: Antonio Valencia/Dani Alves

Saidy Janko joined United from FC Zurich in the summer transfer deadline of 2013, the same day United signed Marouane Fellaini.

The Swiss youth international has been a revelation since joining the United academy due to his versatility. Janko can basically play anywhere in the right of the football field and is at home playing right back, right wing and right-hand side of the midfield.

The player was actually scooped up by United after he impressed in 2012’s Fifa Blue Stars tournament playing against United for his former club.

According to U21 coach Warren Joyce’s words, “We saw him a couple of times out there and he played right-back, right-wing and also in a right-sided midfield role. He did well in all three positions.”

Janko is blessed with natural pace and is extremely strong for his age. Despite being a raw talent still, Janko has the physical attributes to cope easily with the demands of the English games.

Currently on loan to Bolton Wanderers, Janko has exhibited he has an eye for the spectacular.

#5 Josh Harrop

Position: Midfielder

Age: 19

Player similar to: Andres Iniesta/Ander Herrera

Josh Harrop was born in Stockport, England. But to anyone who has watched him play without knowing his origins, the midfielder can be readily come across as a typical Spanish schemer.

Harrop has the ability to create attacks both from the deep and around the box and loves to link up intricate plays with one-twos and quick passes.

While it might be too early to compare the youngster with the great Andres Iniesta, Harrop has shown certain similarities with his ability to quickly release the ball and his knack for finding space.

Despite primarily being creator, Harrop has also exhibited a good eye for goals. Harrop’s development has been hampered bits and parts by injuries, but the youngster certainly has what it takes to establish himself as a Old Trafford fan favourite if he doesn’t falter along the way.

#6 Sean Goss

Position: Midfielder

Age: 19

Player similar to: Michael Carrick

Sean Goss signed for Manchester United from Exeter City in 2012. However, Goss has been a lifelong United fan. The 19-year-old has modelled his game after the current United number 16, Michael Carrick.

Anyone watching Goss will be reminded of a young Michael Carrick during his West Ham and early Tottenham days. Extremely composed with the ball with a great vision, Goss is an carbon copy of Carrick, but only left footed.

Goss excels in bringing out the best in the players playing around him with his excellent positioning sense and great range of passes.

#7 Joel Castro Pereira

Position: Goalkeeper

Age: 18

Player similar to: Edwin van der Sar

The Switzerland born goalkeeper has made appearances for the Switzerland U16 team but has recently capped by Portugal as an U18 player. The Swiss is still in the early stages of his development but is highly rated by former goalkeeping coach Eric Steele.

The young goalkeeper has a long way to go. But with proximity to the likes of David de Gea and Victor Valdes, the young Portuguese has every option to learn from the best.

Standing at 6’2, Pereira is commanding in the air and bears resemblances to former United great Edwin van der Sar.

Edited by Staff Editor