Manchester United have five youngsters from the academy who could make their debut next season

Manchester United is synonymous with the development of young players from the academy.

The Manchester Evening News continues to offer the most extensive coverage of United’s academy and no other outlet has appeared at Leigh Sports Village in the past few years.

United’s academy is the cornerstone of the club and there is huge interest in the youth system, which has produced the likes of Sir Bobby Charlton, George Best, Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes and, more recently, players such as Marcus Rashford, Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie . Mainoo.

Mainoo’s growth has been particularly rewarding in recent years. “Mainoo has outgrown academy football and his talent is needed in the first team,” wrote this correspondent in the match report on his return from injury for the Under-21s against Salford in October.

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United U21 manager Travis Binnion sat down with MEN towards the end of last season to reflect on the academy campaign and while praising Mainoo and Garnacho produced a brilliant quote about how first-team debuts are expected at the club . .

“I would expect it to happen,” Binnion said of the upcoming debuts. “I think the unknown is which because some players come up and some players will slow down. I think we can get the same number of debuts and I think what they do is actually more important than the debut.

“Garna, Kobbie, I think Willy Kambwala will play a lot of football for us. I think debuts are one thing, but sustained impact is another, and I think that will happen with this cohort.

“We expect it to happen, we don’t just believe or assume it will happen, but there is an expectation within the academy and club staff that it will happen. and debuts under Erik ten Hag were not easy debuts.

“There’s been a lot of players training with the first team and getting involved in the squads, but not a lot of debuts, so what I’m saying is that training is one thing, but him putting you on the pitch is an indicator. if he thinks you can help him and if you’re good enough.”

Binnion paused before answering as he took a moment to find the right words to convey how confident he and the academy staff are that there will be more debuts.

Binnion is always generous with his time and approachable after academy games. He is a key part of the academy and his confidence was striking when discussing upcoming debuts – it showed the mindset of the academy staff and their belief in emerging talent.

United qualified for the Europa League thanks to success in the FA Cup, and the final group stage games of that competition were ideal for the debut of the youngsters.

Although the Europa League format will change next season, there should still be opportunities to give academy youngsters their senior debut in Europe, along with chances to play in domestic cup competitions, so which youngsters could get a reverence of seniors?

Harry Amass, Louis Jackson and Habeeb Ogunneye were included in a handful of squads last season due to injury and while Erik ten Hag privately admits they are not ready to feature at a crucial stage of the campaign, it would not be a surprise to see him take the next step.

Amass joined United from Watford last summer and his first year in Manchester has seen him become a key player for the Under-18s and train with the first team. He is an outstanding prospect at left-back and Luke Shaw recently named him as his young player for next term.

Fellow defenders Jackson and Ogunneye are also at the top of the first-team squad and will be hoping to get a taste of senior football at some point. There could also be opportunities for Ethan Wheatley and Shea Lacey, both highly rated forwards in the academy.

Wheatley contributed 17 goals and nine assists in academy matches last season and played a crucial role in a hugely talented Under-18 side that claimed a treble. Lacey has earned comparisons to Phil Foden and would have been involved more if not for injury.

A better indicator of the youngsters most likely to make their debut next season will be given when Ten Hag names its squad for the pre-season tour of the United States.

Mainoo, Dan Gore and Omari Forson were all included in the senior traveling squad last summer and all have subsequently played for the first team.

Ten Hag has provided opportunities for young talent and that will continue.