Manchester United, as a product of (to quote Hamlet) “the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune”, find themselves this week in a situation far from ideal. All season, they’ve been plagued almost farcically by injury. Now, with Marcos Rojo’s dislocated shoulder being the latest in a slew of injuries to affect the back four (along with Chris Smalling’s suspension for his red card in the derby), United are left with zero natural defenders above the age of 20. Rojo, Phil Jones, Jonny Evans, and Rafael, who would normally be critical pieces in defence, are all sidelined, most of which with unknown return dates (Rafael likely being the first to return). So, currently available defenders are Luke Shaw, Paddy McNair, Tyler Blackett and Tom Thorpe, who have a total of 15 United appearances between them. Marnick Vermijl, Saidy Janko and Reece James are also possibilities to make their Premier League debuts. So, via necessity, could this be the time for Man United’s Class of 2014 to shine?
First, one must look at the other options at Louis van Gaal’s disposal. Midfielders Daley Blind and Michael Carrick could see time in a back four. Antonio Valencia has also spent time at right back, much to the chagrin of United’s fans. There’s also always the possibility that van Gaal will revert to a formation with three at the back, despite the lack of success that brought earlier in the season. The most likely back line for Saturday’s clash with Crystal Palace would consist of Shaw (who’s played excellently thus far), Blackett, McNair and either Valencia or Blind.
Yes, this injury crisis has many fans comparing United’s latest crop of academy graduates to the famed Class of ’92 – David Beckham, Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, Gary Neville, Phil Neville and Nicky Butt. While it’s certainly too early to predict that any of United’s current youngsters will ever be on the same level as such legends (despite the club’s insistence on drawing connections between Adnan Januzaj and Ryan Giggs), there are comparisons that can be drawn.
Along with the homegrown defenders mentioned (Shaw doesn’t count, being a summer signing from Southampton), United have young players like striker James Wilson, and midfielders Adnan Januzaj and Jesse Lingard (who saw time with the first team before injuring his knee) beginning to break into the big club, after successful runs with the Under-21 team (United won the U21 league in 2013, and were runners-up in 2014). They’ve all given the fans glimpses of potential to be stars. Januzaj has impressed so much that he was given Giggs’s old number 11 shirt. Wilson, in his first team debut last May, scored a brace, and now is rumoured to be in consideration for a start this weekend, ahead of Robin van Persie.
The time really is ripe for these youngsters to show their worth. Of course, they will likely be replaced by the more experienced players once they return, however there are certainly spots on the bench to be won. Januzaj is definitely ahead of the curve, having truly broken out last season, however it’s not out of the question that some of the other youngsters (Blackett, McNair, etc.) could be regarded as first-team regulars by season’s end. It could be that urgent need is what brings Manchester United’s Class of 2014 to the forefront in the Premier League.
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