Thanks, that's helpful!
U18s: Liverpool 1-9 United
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In the latest episode of the United Hour Podcast, Nik (@Rood) and Imran (@Annihilate Now!) look forward to a new life under Ruben Amorim. What system will we be playing? What players will impress? and how will it all go? We also say goodbye to Ruud Van Nistelrooy and review United's 3-0 win at home against Leicester City.
Thanks, that's helpful!
Wheatley seems to be improving all the time. I'll never forget Rashford was 3rd choice striker at one time for the kids and he suddenly improved beyond all recognition so there's no reason Wheatley can't do the same
My recollection is that Rashford was a regular with the 18s from 16 onwards having made a few appearances at 15, but struggled to make an impact until his growth spurt and he was moved upfront since the team had a shortage there, but a number of wingers and 10s but I could be misremembering
Rashford was never a "3rd choice striker". He started for our U18s in the Youth Cup as a schoolboy. And was first choice for the U18s since then.
Yes this is our biggest win against Liverpool in our youth history. We have has some 5's and 6's over the years but nothing comparable.
In the last 20 years or so our biggest wins have been:
2023/24 - v Liverpool 9-1
2021/22 - v Birmingham City 8-2
2020/21 - v Middlesbrough 8-1
2018/19 - v Sunderland 7-0
2015/16 - v Newcastle Utd 7-1
2012/13 - v Newcastle Utd 7-1
2007/08 - v West Bromwich Albion 7-0
2005/06 - v West Bromwich Albion 7-0
2002/03 - v Birmingham City 7-2
1999/00 - v Sheffield Wednesday 7-2
Pre-Academy, our 'A' Team, which is the equivalent of the U/18's, regularly scored double figures against the likes of Marine, UMIST, Rochdale, South Liverpool, Morecambe, Crewe Alex and other Reserve teams. We entered the Lancashire League back in 1955/56 and our youngsters regularly came up against seasoned adult professionals.
Our biggest wins were:
1996/97 - v Crewe Alexandra 10-0
1992/93 - v Marine Reserves 10-0
1986/87 - v South Liverpool Reserves 10-0
1983/84 - v UMIST 13-0
1963/64 - v Tranmere Rovers 10-1
1955/56 - v Blackburn Rovers 13-0
If you go back to our last season in the Manchester League the season before (1954/55) we had a run of results that looked like this:
11-0, 13-0, 13-0, 11-0, 8-0, 10-1, 9-1, 8-0, 9-1, 10-1, 8-0, 15-1, 11-1, 17-1, 9-2, 9-1, 7-0.....the biggest win was over Glossop. Needless to say we won the league that season with a record of:
P34 W30 D4 L0 F202 A22 Pts 64
That 17-1 win back in 1955 was our largest ever win at U/18 level.
Having just watched the highlights I will be disappointed if we don’t give as many opportunities as possible to those that progress over the next 18 months.
The are 4-5 that can be first team mainstay’s and a another level where up to 6 stand a good chance with another set who could surprise some.
The main thing for me is seeing the individuals improvement over the season. Wheatley, Devaney and Kamason have stepped up when needed recently and impressed. Every member of this side have contributed though and all shown something I can point to this season.
The are 4-5 that can be first team mainstay’s and a another level where up to 6 stand a good chance with another set who could surprise some.
The main thing for me is seeing the individuals improvement over the season. Wheatley, Devaney and Kamason have stepped up when needed recently and impressed. Every member of this side have contributed though and all shown something I can point to this season.
Excellent summary - we do have some 6-0 wins as well - the latest were Leeds this season, Newcastle and Sunderland 2 and 3 seasons ago respectively
Under 21s have Liverpool coming up soon. Last chance for some pride against us for their academy this season because we've wiped the floor with them so far
I hope we get as many of this side through as possible but the ones we don't need to turn into good sales further down the line. We've done an awful job at selling on good talent, I think the highest sale of an academy player in recent times was Sam Johnstone. We've got several who should leave for 10+m when the time comes
Agreed. Players like Williams who are close to but may not make it here should go for 10m or more. Sam Mather is in this bracket as well though IMO.
Knew id missed one. Henderson more than Johnstone yeah, Pereira went for a decent number too. But other than that I don't think most get close to the numbers they should.
We seem to create a dangerous cycle of: No or bad loans > Reduced Stock > Sell while stock is low.
Henderson and Johnstone broke the cycle by getting multiple good loans and building their stock. Although I suspect we were close to ruining that with Henderson by not selling earlier.
The members of this team will probably find u21s too comfortable and so the club needs to have the right plan for them sooner rather than later.
Is our U18 team that much better than the competition at the moment?
With all players fit for sure. City showed though that when Fletcher, Fitzgerald and Lacey are out they can beat us.
Thank you, brilliant as always!
I would say the main reason why we are wiping the floor with everyone is the squad-depth we have. Our best 11 probably isn't a lot better than City's or Liverpools - but when we remove 7-8 players from our team, we can field a side that is probably close to being as strong. And basically every team swaps a lot of players in every game - if we drops 5% from our strongest line-up, and our opponents drop 10-15% - we have a huge advantage.
But don't get me wrong - we still have an exceptionally talented team - we just have more of them, than our opponents
Probably says a lot about the coach’s ability as well, even with good squad depth it’s difficult to maintain a consistent and winning system. He’s definitely one to keep our eyes on, he’s better than McKenna and he’s currently thriving in the Championship, we potentially have another PL level manager coming through.
Elanga
My bad. I thought Wilson and Keane were ahead of him in the pecking order, and Marcus profited from them both picking up serious injuries. Might be my poor memory
It's not that they were ahead of him, they were older and so weren't playing for the same teams. What people thought at the time was that Rashford's goal scoring wasn't better than those two. I think that is what caused you to think that.
we sold Elanga for solid money recently, Pereira as well. Also we sold Garner for 9m I think plus bonuses. He had excellent loans and could be sold for more if we sold him to Forest before they spent fortune on thousand of players in that window. With right loans and contracts we could get better money for Chong, Laird, Mengi, Gomes...
I think that’s a pretty good summary. I think our 2nd years are probably not as good as Man City’s hence why they have been so strong in the FAYC, but I think our first years are stronger which is why we can mix it up better with the league squad, and would expect us to excel next year in the FAYC
Who from this team could make it into the 1st team soon?
INEOS should treat this reserve team as the main team, give them the main facilities, help them win anything at all cost, give them the most expensive foods and vitamins, hire personal motivational coaches, etc. and focus on them while treating the first team as a reserve team - stop signing players, if we sign one he should go to the reserve team, deprive the current main team of resources and let them play with aging players and players that other clubs don't want just to avoid relegation. Give Johny Evans and Erikssen 6 years contract. That way in 5-6 we'd have a team ready to win all comps and had played together for a decade and developed a brotherhood. Make them believe United returning because of them winning everything and being unstoppable is planned and will definitely happen and they just need to see it through, you might argue it is a little bit like a cult but it's beneficial for the team and the players alike. The talents are here we just need to cultivate it.
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3 or 4 in with a reasonable chance. Then another 4 or 5 who you wouldn't completely rule out. Although obviously not all of those 8 or 9 will make it. I think we'll get a few first team players from this bunch though, some as squad players and perhaps one or two who could push for a spot in the 11.
Probably shouldn't read too much into one game. The U18s got schooled at Swindon in the FA youth cup and they weren't totally rubbish then and they aren't world beaters now. Lacey is out of the team at the moment but he looks like he has the talent to get to the first team.
Impossible to answer that. There is plenty of talent but no one can predict where a player will end up. We won't know till they are given a chance.
At least the youth battling them for pain they've inflicted on the senior team in recent years
Is this serious?
Weird post.
Not sure why one loss against Swindon is more or equal consequential as a whole league season.
This team is excellent.
There's no nuance left in football discussion at all, is there? You'd have to be seriously blinkered to not see how good this team is.
Johnny Evans on a 6 year contract?
I'd say there's a good chance the majority will be at least Championship level players in a few years, with several going off to the top flights of Europe, some staying in the Prem at other clubs, and a couple who'll break through at United.
I hate making predictions but I’d say Amass, J Fletcher and Ibragimov have a good chance of making it here. The others like Fitzgerald, Lacey etc have a good chance if they can push on well and not let injuries hold them back. I genuinely see first team potential in all the names I’ve mentioned.
I think Mantato does also have a good chance just because of his physicality. Him, Ibra and Amass imo that's why have the best chance. All are very technical players and are also strong lads.
I really like the play of Finley McAllister next time the under 18's are on, just watch his movement and his reactions as captain - the attacking and wide players get all the comments but for me, this young man is one of reasons this team is a good team. Wears number 8 now.
I agree. He is a massive upgrade of MacT. I hope next season we use him as we use MacT now, not a regular but able to come in a do a job when necessary
Shea Lacey, Harry Amass, Charlie McNeil maybe, Fletchers.
I put this up on the Kobbie forum.
Manchester United have given nearly three times the amount of minutes (3,637) to teenagers in the Premier League this season than the rest of the Top 6 combined (1,245): MAN UTD (3,637) Man City (698) Aston Villa (360)
Liverpool (117) 
Spurs (56) 
Arsenal (14)
Manchester United have given nearly three times the amount of minutes (3,637) to teenagers in the Premier League this season than the rest of the Top 6 combined (1,245): MAN UTD (3,637) Man City (698) Aston Villa (360)
Liverpool (117) Spurs (56) Arsenal (14)2 years ago I might have thought Charlie McNeil could make it here but I don’t think that’s the case anymore.