In a season blighted by frustration and disappointment, Manchester United’s emerging crop of fearless youngsters has been the lone bright spot.
Headlines surrounding the club have been dominated by their continuing decline, lifeless football and the apparent certainty that Louis van Gaal will be replaced by former Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho in the summer.
But if the group under Van Gaal is to continue to develop, however, this cannot be allowed to happen.
A few weeks ago, the number of players packing the physio’s room at Old Trafford numbered 15.
Strangely, that very issue could be the saving grace for Van Gaal. His hand may have been forced in that he’s had to promote several youngsters, but he hasn’t been afraid to do so and has backed them.
Promising striker Marcus Rashford has been chief among Van Gaal’s impressive rookies – the Wythenshawe-born teenager scoring five goals in his first eight games for the Red Devils.
His first goals, a brace against FC Midtjylland, were key as United overturned a 2-1 first-leg deficit in the Europa League last 32. This after he was thrust into the starting line-up at the 11th hour following an injury to Anthony Martial in the warm-up.
Three days later he bagged a double on his Premier League bow as Arsenal were swept aside 3-2. His latest goal was the winner in a Manchester derby against City. It made him the youngest scorer in the fixture in the Premier League era. It is clear he is not just another Federico Macheda.
Video: Di Marzio says Mourinho will be next #mufc manager [@dimarzio] pic.twitter.com/tF7UhQiZvN
— utdreport.com (@utdreport) March 21, 2016
There have been other encouraging signs, too. Martial has shown great promise since his unforgettable United debut, his goal sealing the 3-1 win over Liverpool in September. The Frenchman has netted 12 goals in 39 games and shown no signs that his huge price tag is weighing him down.
For most fans, Jesse Lingard’s progression has been heart-warming. The 23-year-old has been shipped to all corners of the UK in recent seasons on various loan stints but finally seems to have nailed down a first team place and is starting to marry potential with end product. Guillermo Varela, Cameron Borthwick-Jackson, Timothy Fosu-Mensah, Donald Love and Joe Riley have also all shown flashes of promise when called upon.
For all the criticism rightly directed Van Gaal’s way, his trust in youth has been admirable. Bleeding them has long been a trait and something at the very core of United’s DNA, but the club’s hierarchy have a big decision to make.
Van Gaal’s turgid possession football, baffling substitutions and lack of attacking flair and speed earlier in the season might well have already cost him. It is widely believed a deal for Mourinho is complete, but Van Gaal’s good work with the kids will be undone if the Portuguese gets his way.
Chris Smalling on Marcus Rashford: "I think if I was up against him, he’s one who would certainly put fear in you." pic.twitter.com/WxPzNAQZqu
— Squawka News (@SquawkaNews) March 22, 2016
Chelsea’s record of failing to give youngsters a chance is well documented, with Romelu Lukaku and Kevin de Bruyne now excelling away from Stamford Bridge.
Mourinho’s record with youngsters at Chelsea was abysmal. He handed debuts to just nine academy players during two stints, but his failure to give youth a chance is actually a trait that has littered his management career.
He has handed first-team league opportunities to only 23 academy players in 15 years at Benfica, Uniao Leiria, Porto, Chelsea, Inter Milan and Real Madrid.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek is one of only five youth products to have started a game under him, with the 19-year-old tipped to be the first academy player to establish himself in the first team since John Terry in the 2000-01 season.
Polls conducted by United fanzines Red Issue, United We Stand and Red News, as well as the Manchester Evening News, suggest the majority of United fans voting on them preferred Mourinho to take charge rather than Ryan Giggs, but if the likes of Rashford, Lingard et al are to keep the United tradition of breeding their own alive, Mourinho simply cannot be handed the reins.
