Manchester United have always been known as a club that promotes youthful talent, stretching back to the 1950s with the Busby Babes all the way to the mid-1990s when the Class of 92 took over the Premier League. One notable young star has risen through to the first-team this season called Adnan Januzaj. His performances this season could see him make Belgiums World Cup squad for the summer in Brazil, after Januzaj confirmed he would play for Belgium. Danny Welbeck is another former academy player who now lives in the first-team, regularly playing at the top level, albeit out of position and struggling to make a big impact. David Moyes sent a few youth players out on loan last summer and now hes departed the club, could the next manager return to Uniteds roots and promote youth from within? Here are three potential young Manchester United stars.
#1 Adnan Januzaj
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He’s been great this season but could have been give some more opportunities now and then. Moyes seemed to rely heavily on him in the first part of the season but used him a lot more sparingly after Christmas after the signing of Juan Mata.
Some fans felt that was unjustified as Januzaj was still playing well. Aside from his diving and the controversy surrounding that, the attacking midfielder is superbly talented and has impressed this season.
He’s created 24 chances, which is eight more than Robin van Persie, and scored four goals. If he is given more of a chance and allowed to flourish more so under the new manager, thought to be Louis van Gaal, next season.
#2 Nick Powell
Nick Powell is out on loan at Wigan Athletic and has had a decent season. He is versatile and played in a number of positions this season. Powell is capable of playing central midfield, attacking midfield and even as a striker.
He’s scored 12 goals in 42 appearances for the Latics this season, including three in Europe as they exited the Europa League at the group stages.
What little success they had in the competition came through the talents of Powell who scored twice in their first ever European win. Powell scored Wigan’s first ever goal in European competition and then later added their third against Maribor. It was their only win in the group stages and all down to Powell.
To add to his seven league goals, Powell has created 35 chances which is the fifth-highest at Wigan. He scored under Sir Alex Ferguson last season but if given an opportunity next season, he could shine and continue to develop his talents, but this time, at the top level.
#3 Jesse Lingard
Lingard has been on two separate loan trips this season – one to Birmingham City and the most recent and current one, Brighton and Hove Albion.
At Birmingham, Lingard scored six goals in 13 appearances and now, at Brighton, he’s scored three in 14 games. Obviously, these figures aren’t fantastic but he’s a young attacker who’s highly-rated at Man Utd and has done extremely well in the youth ranks.
He’s driven and determined to succeed at Man Utd and he has the potential to do so given the opportunity. Lingard is a strong and quick striker who should be put on the list of strikers with the first-team. Should van Persie pick up an injury, he should be given an opportunity.
