At the start of the 1995/96 season, Sir Alex Ferguson made the incredibly brave declaration that he would rid the Manchester United side of the experienced, established players (bar a few exceptions) and bleed through a new crop of young players by throwing them straight into the deep end.
After day one, it looked ill-fated on the heels of a 3-1 loss to Aston Villa, as critics piled on the great manager. Alan Hansen remarked, “You’ll never win anything with kids”. Famous last words they became, when 8 months later the new, fresh-faced Man Utd side held aloft the Premiership title once again. Some of the players you just may have heard of; David Beckham, Paul Scholes, Gary and Phil Neville, Nicky Butt and of course, Ryan Giggs. If David Moyes were to, for whatever reason, decide that youth was once again the key to success, who would be the names in the Man Utd side?
Current young Red Devils:
Adnan Januzaj: Age 18 – The young Belgian is meant to be an incredible talent, compared to a young Cristiano Ronaldo by former Utd youth coach Eric Harrison, the man who brought through the team of 95/96. Praise rarely comes any higher than that. He has wreaked havoc on the wings with Wilfried Zaha during our pre-season games.
Wilfried Zaha: Aged 20 – The young man with a big potential set Utd back £15 million six months ago and needs performances sooner rather than later. Wilf is already a full England international after impressing with his mazy dribbling and fantastic end product in the Championship with Crystal Palace.
Phil Jones: Aged 21 – What a talent this lad is. Any 21-year old who has played centre back, right back and central midfield at both International and Champions League standard is going to be good. Another expensive youngster, signed from Blackburn, but one who is set to be first choice for club and country for years to come, whatever position that may be in.
Danny Welbeck: Aged 22 – He has always looked a quality player, especially when running at defenders, but this season something has changed. He now appears to be able to score freely! The finishing has clearly been worked on and now comparisons are being drawn to the great Thierry Henry due to his pace, vision and direct approach. Lofty company, I know.
Players who could be brought in from outside:
Ross Barkley: Aged 19 – This is a young lad who has been on the radar for some time now, but only this season has he really been able to show what he’s about. Impressive displays after two surprise starts for Everton this year have earnt him a first Senior England call up. The only way is up for Barkley, and a move to Old Trafford would take him to the top.
Victor Andrade: Aged 17 – A largely unknown player, the young lad from Brazil is dubbed the next big thing in Brazil. Aged just 17, Europe’s big names have already come knocking for his signature, highlighting his obvious abundance of talent. He is said to be of a similar style to Neymar.
Luke Shaw: Aged 18 – The young lad is already a first team regular at Southampton and has been since he was 16. Apparently both Utd and Chelsea have enquired about the fee that would be required to sign the young Southampton left back, with reports claiming sums of over £15million being quoted.
Jack Wilshere: Aged 21 – Highly unlikely he will ever leave his beloved Arsenal, I would still love to see Jack adorn the red of Man Utd one day. If he sultans injury free he can become as good as he wants to be, having already proven his capabilities against the best in the world.
All these players have the potential to become world beaters, so imagine them all in the same Utd team one day? Who knows? Stranger things have happened…
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