It’s been a season of frustration: a campaign that tested the will of the most battle-hardened of Red.
But, amongst a catalogue of questionable scenarios, green shoots appeared at Manchester United.
Cemented into the walls of Old Trafford is the ethos of trusting youth, and a famous man once suggested that age is but a number in football.
For Ten Hag and his squad of FA Cup-winning players, a collection of talented youngsters has the potential to galvanise a formidable future.
Kobbie Mainoo – a generational footballer
I must be careful here because I am in danger of composing a paragraph about the second coming of Jesus.
I have followed Kobbie since he was an even younger teenager than we see today, and his effortless ability with a football has always been evident.
I wrote about him in July 2023 after receiving advice about the impression he left on the manager and the coaching staff.
At the time, individuals questioned the logic behind utilising a child in the heart of midfield – this was not to be the case with the Stockport lad.
“The pressure in lining out for Manchester United at Old Trafford has consumed many footballers throughout the years. It is unlike any other team in England. Despite his youth and inexperience at the very top, Mainoo is a player who craves more.”
Fast forward to the present day, we see a 19-year-old who has catapulted his star into Euro 2024, following a debut campaign with 33 appearances, five goals, three assists and a Player-of-the-Match award in his first International start, to go alongside his FA Cup final award.
Composed, controlled, and full of character – we are looking at a generational midfielder with the attributes to lead this side for over a decade as a future captain. His Wembley-winning goal was the icing on the cake.
Alejandro Garnacho – a winger destined for the top
Squint – and you would be forgiven – for confusing the pacey Argentinian winger with a Portuguese teenager from years gone.
High praise to land on the shoulders of the 19-year-old, but that has been the impact of Alejandro Garnacho during a memorable campaign that has returned ten goals and five assists from 50 appearances.
Furthermore, his ability was rewarded with the Premier League’s Goal of the Season award – received for his astonishing overhead kick against Everton.
With Mainoo, it is difficult to pick fault in his game – not that we are trying to do that. But Garnacho appears human and displays many expected characteristics for a player his age.
We have witnessed a confident attacker desperate to score with every opportunity – similar to another man we watched grow in the Theatre of Dreams.
His decision-making requires fine-tuning, and his final ball can improve – but this is what you should expect from a teenager – and that does not diminish his standing.
For many Reds, the underlying fear is an inevitable desire to play in a warmer climate. But we will deal with that hurdle if/when it arrives and enjoy the growth of our flamboyant winger in this promising group.
Rasmus is the Red to lead the line
The now 21-year-old arrived at Old Trafford for an initial fee of £64 Million, inevitably enduring the wrath of the English media.
But Rasmus Hojlund has shouldered the ludicrous comparisons with Erling Haaland, alongside a lack of clear-cut opportunities, to leave many purring in anticipation for more.
A debut campaign that saw 43 appearances after an initial injury yielded 16 goals and two assists across all competitions – as I keep saying – less than a handful short of a contribution every other game!
Like Garnacho, there are elements to his game that require work – again, the enigma of Mainoo should not turn this into any more than it is.
While he took an agonising 15 appearances to finally net against Aston Villa in the Premier League, he enjoyed a brilliant five goals in six Champions League outings.
Furthermore, he is officially the youngest player to net in six consecutive Premier League fixtures, scoring ten and assisting two in 16 league outings from December 26th.
Despite being starved of clear-cut opportunities – registering the least shots of any Premier League striker with ten or more, he has a better goal conversion rate than English hitman Harry Kane – let that sink in.
In Hojlund, United have a striker to lead this magnificent young line for a decade or more.
Amad Diallo – the solution to the right-side conundrum
A pre-season injury was a kick in the teeth for 21-year-old Amad Diallo.
But, while it took considerable time to overcome this frustration and cultivate fitness alongside recognition from Ten Hag in training, Diallo ended the season strong.
Undoubtedly, his memorable strike against Liverpool en route to the FA Cup final will go down in Old Trafford folklore, earning the FA Cup Goal of the Season in the process.
His technical ability and composure on the ball are remarkable for such a young player. Furthermore, his calmness in possession appears to strike fear into his marker, with his press-resistant nature continuously on show.
With several high-profile signings made in recent seasons to address the problematic right side of attack – with Jadon Sancho and Antony failing to live up to their hype – Amad has presented a far-cheaper alternative following his €21.3 move from Atalanta in 2021.
Like the trio we explored beforehand, the Ivory Coast sensation has the capability of cultivating a very long career in leading the United attack.
More than a little hope in Kambwala
Willy Kambwala made ten senior appearances and looked assured as an option for the present and the future.
At 19, the latest Democratic Republic of the Congo talent has grasped an opportunity for a senior spot and earned applause for a series of notable displays.
His double-digit appearances offered a unique experience and gave the manager food for thought when considering his defensive requirements for the season ahead.
He has established a reputation as a pacey central defender with an obvious intellect for the game. He is technical and possesses a keen awareness of his surroundings.
Furthermore, he has cultivated a unique relationship with the fanbase and has many standing in recognition of his place in the first-team squad.
I could continue to wax lyrical about the line of youthful talents on the horizon, with several other stars offering plenty of first-team hope.
Jimmy-Murphy award-winning Ethan Wheatley debuted and has plenty of scope for growth in the first team.
We have dived into the treble-winning U18 crop in ‘The Manchester United class of 24‘, with a host of talent chomping at the bit for senior recognition.
Despite an underwhelming season culminating in the sweetest Wembley outing, the academy has solidified green shoots for Manchester United.
With a host of tactically savvy coaches entering the fray, supporters can dare to dream for the future.
Let us know how you feel about this youthful outlook in the comments or across our socials.
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