Manchester United’s unique affinity with the FA Youth cup continues tonight as Paul McGuinness’ boys take on Sheffield United in the final first leg at Bramall Lane. It has been eight years since United last won the trophy, which the club has held a record nine times, but with arguably the most talent group since the ‘class of ’92’ there are high expectations of a United victory over two legs.
Led by the talented but troubled Ravel Morrison, United overcame Chelsea 6-3 on aggregate in a two-legged semi to reach the final. Victories over Liverpool, Newcastle United, West Ham United and Portsmouth have taken the young Reds to a first final since 2007.
And it is a competition in which Sir Alex Ferguson places great faith, with the current youth team potentially forming the nucleus of United’s senior squad for years to come. Indeed, in Morrison, Paul Pogba, Ryan Tunnicliffe and Will Keane, McGuinness’ team boasts youth talent of the very highest order.
The quartet could hardly be in better hands; tracking those players’ progression from youth, to reserve, to the first team, is a process that Ferguson clearly relishes.
“One of the greatest privileges of being a manager is playing a part in the development of young players, watching them grow in confidence and ability,” said Ferguson.
“I’ve been fortunate to work with many exceptional young players but the class of ’92 was unique; their success is a tribute to their talent and this club’s belief in the power of youth.
“Over the past decade we’ve worked on bringing young players into the team from elsewhere. But we still like to produce our own young players and I think there are several in the present youth team who are doing really well.
“The likes of Ryan Tunnicliffe and Ravel Morrison, you see them doing very, very well, so it will always be the case that we put our emphasis on young players coming through. It gives you a nucleus to protect the future.”
Ferguson will attend tonight’s match alongside Sir Bobby Charlton, who won the competition himself three times in the mid-50s. That side would become the Busby Babes, destined for glory until the Munich air crash robbed the team of so many stars.
Forward nearly half a century and United’s FA Youth Cup winning side of 1992, and losing finalists in 1993 and 1995, produced the core of the Reds’ side for more than a decade. Ryan Giggs, Gary and Phil Neville, David Beckham, Nicky Butt and Paul Scholes have each played in the FA Youth Cup final and gone on to record international honours.
Success at youth level is no barometer of a player’s future career though. Indeed, Ferguson believes that the ’92 side is unique in its ability to produce so many future stars: “I’m convinced no group of players will ever make such an impact on the English game as did the class of ’92,” the Scot told MUTV this week.
The Scot has a point. Of those young Reds who won the cup against Middlesbrough in 2003 none carved out long-term careers at United, although Phil Bardsley, David Jones, Kieran Richardson and Sylvan Ebanks-Blake still ply their trades in the Premier League.
Yet there is a sense in which the current crop is the most talented in a generation, offering a mix of local boys and imports from further afield. Certainly, while McGuinness’ side possesses outstanding individual talent, it is very much a team in the United tradition. The semi-final comeback from a first leg loss to hammer Chelsea’s youth 4-0 at Old Trafford was testament to that.
Yet it is a youth system in transition. In recent times the club has increasingly sought to bring talent in from abroad. After all, recruiting young is a financial imperative in a globalised sport that places a price premium on established talent. The challenge now has become not only identification of talent but one of integration both into local culture and the ephemeral ‘United way’.
In time United’s youth teams may increasingly be filled by youngsters acquired through the club’s global partnerships; the route Rafael and Fabio da Silva have taken into United’s first team, which effectively saved the club millions in transfer fees.
That argument is for another day though. For the moment the focus is on the here and now, and the chance for another crop of Untied youngsters to carve out their own piece of Reds history.
FA Youth Cup Final, first leg. Bramall Lane, Sheffield.17 May 2011, 7pm.
Johnstone; M Keane, Thorpe, Fornasier, McGinty; Cole, Tunnicliffe, Pogba, van Velzen, Morrison; W Keane. Subs from: Cofie, Lawrence, Ekangamene, Coll, Massacci, Daehli, Wilkinson.
Great pre match preview.Its going to be fantastic this evening charge your glasses with cheap cider and shout the lads on where ever you are.
History in the making before our very eyes.
Cmon United.
Believe.
Hope for a good game from Morrison… if he keeps his head down over the summer, I’d like to see him given a crack at the first team next year… the added responsibility, exposure to the big time, and hanging out with the pros… “MIGHT”… give him pause to sort out his priorities… and bin the fuckwits he’s been hanging out with.
Fergie needs to get more hands on, if this kids as good as they seem to think… let’s try to sort him out before he completely wastes his life.
Agreed Alf, its a shame all this court talk and flinging cell phones around.Gangsters and this nonesense, the lad has got a brilliant chance and fantastically talented.Jaysus most of us would give our ‘left hand’ for the opportunity this boy has.
Enjoy the match Alf, build up starting on MUTV now.
Arthur Albiston in place of Red Nev, he has called of? Wonder why
Thats in the commentary bye the way… lol
There’s a decent stream here…
http://www.silversportz.co.uk/
Starting line up.
.
Johnston
Keane.
Thorpe.Cpt.
Fornasier.
McGinty.
Lingard.
Tunnicliffe.
Pogba.
van Velzen.
Morrison.
W.Keane.
Cmon United.Lets put them to the sword.
Tunnicliffe, Pogba, Morrison, Keane all have a real chance of making it at United. This has got to be the best youth side since ’92
Thats what Sir Alex said the best since 92, mighty high praise indeed.
Yep the first 3 especially. Will all see 1st team action at some stage, its just a case of how many games.
Brill one nil up…..Lingard, with a lot of controversy
That’s never in!
If It wanae the Blades player should have walked
Wasnae, i meant
He handled the ball under the bar, I think the ref Micheal Oliver did them a favour there
Red tinted specs on ….tonight. lol
Handball, pen and a red card…. vs goal for united. not sure who has come out best there.
And a player missing for the second leg.Its a better game for the 22 players being on the park.
Jaysus Ravel Morrison nearly scores, fabulous skill
Shows you how popular this competition at this stage is Bramall lane nearly full. Crowd quiet though
David Stowell is chatting about Jordan Slew who looks their danger man… 7 appearances for the Blades first team…2 goals.A prospect for sure.He needs watched carefully
What a hit… fuck me.
Can I decline… lmao
Fook me that’s some strike
Yeah it was a blast the wee bugger is 17yrs. Fuck me pink….Mcfadzean and I am a Jock, I aint ever heard or seen it spelt like thon.. lol
Two great drives from Ravel Morrison and Micheal Keane in the last few minutes its coming the second
Get in!!!
Fuckin hell…
They don’t score cheapos, do they?
2-2
Cracking game this
So much for final nerves – both teams going at it!
Tunnicliffe could have won it – twice! Looks like the new Nicky Butt.
Good game…
What happened to the G Nev commentary? Looks like he is due to do the 2nd leg though. Probably better than Paddy “Rafael Morrison” Crerand!!!
Yeah Good game, good game as Brucie Forsyth said.
Toodles
The United Way is surely anything but ephemeral.
Talking about youth, Man United are on the verge of making their first summer signing. Raphael Varane, 18 year old centre half from Lens.
I told you about this move a few weeks ago. A world class youngster, comes in as a back up to Rio Ferdinand who spends a lot of time injured. French under 21 international, 6ft.3ins tall, plays central midfielder for France but plays centre half for Lens. A fee of just under 10 million is what United put forward. By the end of the week or early next week, this should be a done deal.
I had to come back because what I’m picking up, it looks like we may have another striker coming in. If thats the case, that means that Owen, Diouf and Macheda maybe sold or even Berbatov. I say that because why would SAF be now having another try at bringing Benzema to Old Trafford. I know Arsenal had made a bid for him. By what SAF has said today, we will be buying a few quality players this summer.
If he is looking for another striker, I would like to see the HULK from Porto. He would be a nightmare for defenders.
I’m with herbie on this, I’m personally more excited about transfers that about the cl final
I’d have some of that Herbie. Stick him up front with Rooney and he’d be incredible.
he looks like bebongo spilffstar, fergie would rather play bebongo spliffstar
@Herbie… what the fuck is your malfunction?
You’ve been told many times, by many people… quit posting shit, and rumours, without the links or quotes to show that you’re not just making this crap up.
Is it that hard to just copy and paste, the page you’re getting this information from?
Or perhaps you really are just talking shit!
“Badges, to god-damned hell with badges! We have no badges. In fact, we don’t need badges. I don’t have to show you any stinking badges, you god-damned cabrón and ching’ tu madre! Come out from that shit-hole of yours. I have to speak to you.”
1000% with you.
Day in the life of Herbie Simms
Get up
Read BBC News footy gossip
Post it on Utd fan sites
Read Utd fan sites
Post what he’s read on other fan sites
Go to bed
REPEAT
Herbie—the man in the know.
The announcement of the signing of Raphael Varane will be made after the Champions League final. Coming directly from Real Madrid and out of the newspapers, they claim that SAF had made them an offer for Benzema. I don.t think they will be making this up. I know SAF is an admirer of this player but my personal opinion is that I don’t think SAF will spend 35 million for another striker unless Berbatov and others are on their way out.
My information is coming out of Manchester. David Gill has an article today and he says that he expects United to be busy in this summer’s transfer market. He is the Glazers little puppet and from his comments, it looks certain the Glazers are going to put up the money for new players.
SAF was quoted on BBC this morning as to be bringing in three big signings. He must strengthen the squad because Man City are looking to spend another 200 million on new players.
Yes, cool. But… that’s hardly news mate. It’s on TV, papers, intraweb, etc.
I’ll lay off you if you’re prediction that Jose takes over in the summer and we re-sign Ronnie. You said this was a done deal 😉
I would not like to see Mourinho at United unless he is going to continue to promote the youngsters from the academy team and run the same program as SAF. But if he was to replace Fergie at sometime, he would definately be looking to bring back Ronaldo. This is how these glory hunting managers operate. They don’t believe in building teams like the United way, they look for instant results, and spending millions to do so. We would need a manager in the mold of SAF and right now I don’t know who that will be. Pepe Guardiola could be a good choice but would prefer a UK manager.
YOU said that it was a “done deal” and the Jose was coming to OT and bringing Ronnie with him, plus an £80m warchest (if I recall). YOU said this Herbie, you.
lkhf would also prefer UK as manager
And what makes it worse, the news media continue to run stories on how Fergie and Mourinho are real good friends and that they are always in contact with each other. This is why Mourinho has been tipped to replace Fergie if and when he retires. We definately do not need Mourinho, we will need a manager that will run things the United way and Mourinho is not the one. I could be wrong but thats how I see it now.
herbie is clearly the victim of severe head trauma
LKHF
IMPENETRABLE!!
Does anyone know how red nevs testimonial is selling?
I do.
Well?
I might go actually, if there are tickets still available
Ian Brown is gonna sing This Is The One… and Nev will surely use the opportunity to have a go at the scousers which will be funny
Iam not the victim of any severe head trauma. Alfonso, transfer talk is the biggest news now. Who is worrying about the Champions League Cup? Cup finals are just a bonus, WE are the league champions, we are number ONE, are you malfunctioning? So what the hell do you want to talk about? There is some movement going on in the transfer window and I’m just keeping you up to date. I can tell you now that United have made an offer for Benzema. Mourinho has been in the Spanish news and said himself that he has received an offer from United for Benzema because he is being off-loaded for a new striker that Madrid is bringing in. United has made 4 offers for players so far and that is Sanchez but they have been outbid now by Man City, De Gea, Patricio, Varane and Benzema.
They have not placed any bids for Sneijder or Asley Young so stories about them could be rumours. I still believe they will bring in an attacking midfielder or someone for Scholes.
There is a story now coming out of Manchester that De Gea’s agent has agreed a deal of 16 million put forward by United and they were waiting on De Gea to sign. They are claiming this is a done deal but I’ve heard that before.
WOW – I CANT BELIEVE WE’RE SIGNING ALL THESE DUDES. We’ll win all of it next season.
LINKS LINKS LINKS LINKS
Pwetty pwease?
FFS HERBIE!
POST THE FUCKIN LINKS…
AND…
…
lmfao
Herbs, you are the next chris_1661
LINKS LINKS and more LINKS
unless it’s all in your imagination…hmmmm imagine this:
Your sitting staring at the screen and the reflection on the screen shows 2 fat slobs creeping up behind you (Alf & Cap) bothe stark naked of course ( no bri, it aint your porno)….now that would send me to Horrorville in a flash, forget Chainsaw Massacre or the limpdick Freddy!
So many No.10’s developing at the same time in united academy. If they all are assimilated into the first team about the same time, i think our style of football will change.
We are not signing a whole lot of players. I said we had put in bids for players. We can make offers for 20 players but we are only looking to bring in three. Like David Gill said, they are looking to bring in players to take up certain positions. For example, we need a cover for Ferdinand because he spends a lot of time out injured. We need a keeper for Van de Sar and a player to replace Scholes. Thats three players. Its their priority that they get these players in place first. We have Owen, Diouf and Macheda that we don’t need and that would be a reason to bring in one quality striker to replace three strikers that are not of United quality. Now that makes common sense.
I hear Ronaldo’s coming back Simmsy….free transfer too. Mourinho’s arranged it because he wants a shit-hot winger in the side for when he takes over from Fergie.
If Mourinho becomes the next manager, Ronaldo will not be a free transfer. Thats why we do not need Mourinho, he will busy selling all the players he don’t want and then asking for 300 million to buy new players plus wanting 100 million to bring Ronaldo back. Our academy team will be a thing of the past. The United tradition will be gone!
ron will play for us again no question
Agree – in fact I hear its a done deal. Swap deal with Berba going the other way + £2m
agreed, anythings possible with lkhf, see fletchers ‘injury’ at the business end of this season, we know the truth
So he wasn’t injured? Or did LKHF do him over down a dark alley one night? And by that I mean bum him obviously