There seems to be a general feeling that we shouldn't play youngsters in a losing team, that they will lose confidence.
Here is a list off the top of my head starting from when I was a youngster.
Duncan Edwards
George Best
Denis Law
Jim Holton
Bryan Robson
Pancho Pearson
Lou Macari.
Rio
Vidic
Steve Bruce
Denis Irwin
Schmeichel
Keane
Giggs
Ronaldo
Cantona
I could do another list twice as long and including less famous players.
Players to whom it would seem a laughable idea that they should only come on in a winning team. Players who knew they were good enough. Who wanted to show their skills on a big stage.
Steve Coppell came from Tranmere when young,
How about Ole from Molde
I know players aren't all the same, but surely not all ours are mard.
Youngsters
posted on 14/8/22
So you are saying because Steve Bruce was successful at Gillingham in the third tier and stepped up to Norwich before joining United, a 18 year old kid can come into the United side and improve you?
I doubt any United fan is against using a youngster if he is ready. Just not chucking 5, 6 or more into the team.
One of the good things about the Europa is you can blood kids and still win games.I am sure ten Hag is looking at that as a chance to have a serious look at some of your promising youth. But he also has to look at his seniors, and find out who he can trust, who he can rely on, who he can improve and who he has to sideline.
We (Arsenal) were in a similar position this time last year. I think the big difference is we had a clear plan - which included improve the culture. We made some big decisions - like dropping our keeper who didn't fit the play out from the back style for a twice relegated from the PL youngster. But it took a couple of years to get the squad transformed, and it is still a work in progress.
posted on 14/8/22
Think it’s been covered in previous articles today that putting promising youngsters into the high pressure total mess we have now could be counter productive, it’s OK introducing kids into settled established teams but the problem we have now is very different, the senior pros are giving no example to follow.
posted on 14/8/22
Having generous owners with a huge transfer budget is probably detrimental to the concept of bringing youngsters through.
posted on 14/8/22
comment by D'Jeezus Mackaroni (U1137)
posted 4 minutes ago
So you are saying because Steve Bruce was successful at Gillingham in the third tier and stepped up to Norwich before joining United, a 18 year old kid can come into the United side and improve you?
I doubt any United fan is against using a youngster if he is ready. Just not chucking 5, 6 or more into the team.
One of the good things about the Europa is you can blood kids and still win games.I am sure ten Hag is looking at that as a chance to have a serious look at some of your promising youth. But he also has to look at his seniors, and find out who he can trust, who he can rely on, who he can improve and who he has to sideline.
We (Arsenal) were in a similar position this time last year. I think the big difference is we had a clear plan - which included improve the culture. We made some big decisions - like dropping our keeper who didn't fit the play out from the back style for a twice relegated from the PL youngster. But it took a couple of years to get the squad transformed, and it is still a work in progress.
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What I'm saying is that not blooding youngsters because we are losing and it will affect their confidence isn't right for many. The players listed and many more had the confidence to back themselves, including many at United
posted on 14/8/22
It would be much easier to blood youngsters if we had good senior pros who had been there, done that, and had some consistency about them. Unfortunately our senior players, at present, have zero confidence it seems.
At the very least what we should be doing, if we can't play well, is make sure the opposition can't play well.
posted on 14/8/22
To say you are going to rely on youth as the direction of the club it has to be a conscious decision and strategy of the club not some throw away comment after a bad loss. Take Arsenal for example it was a decision to go with youth and its taken years for the likes of Saka, Smith Rowe and Martinelli to work out for us. You may have some good youth players but they simply aren't going to come in and fix the rotten parts of your club. To go with youth you have to be fully committed to it and accept that there are going to be highs and a lot of lows, mind you right now I don't think you could get any lower.
posted on 14/8/22
Ive not met many footballers who didnt rate themselves or have the confidence to back themselves. So any list of players is endless.
Im not sure what the likes of Denis Law, Stu Pearson, Lou Macari, Cantano, Shmikes, Rio, Big Jim Holton, Bruce, Robbo etc were like as teenage players before they ended up at United, so I cant comment.
the only United players I have heard of who admits that playing for United was too much for them and was actually relieve when left out of the squad on matchdays were Mickey Thomas and Diego Forlan.
posted on 14/8/22
a relief
posted on 14/8/22
comment by Admiral Ozil is my new favourite Star Wars character (U10178)
posted 40 minutes ago
To say you are going to rely on youth as the direction of the club it has to be a conscious decision and strategy of the club not some throw away comment after a bad loss. Take Arsenal for example it was a decision to go with youth and its taken years for the likes of Saka, Smith Rowe and Martinelli to work out for us. You may have some good youth players but they simply aren't going to come in and fix the rotten parts of your club. To go with youth you have to be fully committed to it and accept that there are going to be highs and a lot of lows, mind you right now I don't think you could get any lower.
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We can next weekend
posted on 14/8/22
It wouldn’t be fair on them. Playing for Manchester United is a form of abuse.