Watching Manchester United succumb meekly against Como and Bournemouth brought to mind questions and comparisons with yesteryear. Two of United’s most famous eras were built around their youth players: the Busby Babes and Class of 92. Could this be a moment for Michael Carrick to give their most talented academy products a meaningful chance?
In February 2025 I saw United beat Arsenal 3-2 in the FA Youth Cup at the Emirates Stadium. Jack and Tyler Fletcher did well for United and so did Harry Amass, a signing from Watford. Max Dowman, a generational talent, starred for Arsenal.
Not one of that United team has established themselves in the first team. Amass, a left-back, has two substitute appearances this season. The winger Shea Lacey, part of the same under-18s squad, has come on four times and got a Carabao Cup start.
Supporters, not least at Old Trafford, like players from the academy. The two United youth products who are regulars, Kobbie Mainoo and Marcus Rashford, are well established. I look at some of the club’s big signings and wonder: do they see themselves as real Manchester United players?
With youth-team products you get spirit and identity – a deep pride in the shirt. That isn’t enough but to really assess them they need a proper chance. You have to give a player a minimum of three starts in a row to see whether they have the potential to be a regular.
Some players at United and elsewhere get an occasional Carabao Cup start and that’s it. It is interesting that JJ Gabriel, a highly rated 16-year-old at United, and his advisers appear to think he could be better off elsewhere. Other young English players have made similar moves.
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