Ole’s been very keen to get the youth players involved with the first team since he’s been in the job, but as of yet it’s only Greenwood and Williams that have managed to gain any meaningful play time in the first team.
There’s been talk that Gomes is close to agreeing a new contract, though how true that is remains to be seen. He’s obviously got talent, but he’s at an age where he needs to be playing football to develop as a player. The same is true with Chong, and I don’t think either will benefit as much from sticking around at United next season over going out on loan.
Levitt and Garner look set to go out on loan next season as well, as with Gomes and Chong they’ve outgrown u23 football and need the regular games that won’t be afforded to them at United next season.
If we get into the CL next summer it’ll be even harder for the youngsters to get game time, but it’s also a chance for a few other youngsters to replace their limited roles in the first team next season if they’re on loan.
Anyone have other thoughts on this lot going on loan, or maybe some others that need it?
I’m sure rosso and TRS can offer some good insight into what can be done with the youth players next season.
Loans For Next Season.
posted on 29/5/20
He’ll be kept in the first team squad, no doubt. Up to him to show he’s more reliable than our other cb’s, which will be tough if he can’t stay fit.
Now Bailly’s back I’ve a feeling he’ll be moved back down the pecking order, for the moment anyway.
posted on 30/5/20
Chong is the one who has disappointed me. He has a natural talent that most players dream of having.
He just hasn’t grabbed the chances he has been given like Greenwood and Williams have done.
The next season will be make or break for him.
posted on 30/5/20
Yeah we're going to have to make good use of the loan system next season because Garner, Levitt, Gomes and Chong can't be stuck playing U23 football again and only making the odd cameo and bench appearance for the first team.
We've let other players stagnate for too long at that level in the past and I don't want to see it happen with this lot.
I've said before I'm happy for certain players to remain at United rather than go out on loan providing they're training with the first team and playing some games as I think even limited time playing at a higher level at a parent club can have its advantages over going out on loan and playing a full season but that's not going to happen with this lot so the loan route would be the best thing for them.
I still have my doubts if Gomes is going to renew. The club have offered him good financial terms but we can't offer him what he really wants and I'm not sure how willing he'd be to go out on loan. Also he may be looking at who we've been rumoured to sign and that might push him out the door.
In terms of U23 players being on the fringes of the first team squad next season, I think one of those could be Teden Mengi providing we trim our CB options starting with Rojo and Jones and if Smalling leaves permanently, there might be a place for him as 5th choice. He's been training with the first team quite a bit and he's been given specific roles in training which I think is promising. Him and Fosu-Mensah have been tasked to go up against Wan-Bissaka in one v one situations to help AWB beat his man. He just reminds me of Tuanzebe in the reserves in that he just looks so composed and everything seems really easy for him. I'm not so sure myself but some people are even saying he's been better than Tuanzebe was.
Another I think could be Hannibal Mejbri. He's been exceptional at times at U23 level even though he only turned 17 in January. He'll grow out of playing at that level pretty quickly. There's a lot of competition in midfield as well but I wouldn't be surprised to see him feature in the League Cup or the Europa League if we're in that competition again next season. I did also read somewhere that Ole was thinking of fast-tracking him before we signed Bruno.
The last is Ethan Laird but his chances will depend on him staying fit and also Dalot being able to do likewise. With Young not being at the club anymore however, our young full-backs' chances are slightly better now.
posted on 30/5/20
TRS
I suppose you are right about Gomes, wouldn’t make sense to agree to a contract unless he’s given some assurances. But if that’s the case, I don’t think it’s the best move on his part
I saw the same thing about Hannibal. If that was true it probably puts less pressure on the club to get Gomes to extend. They can replace his role in the squad with a player with similar traits. We spent a lot of money on him last year for a youth player, so I’m sure the club will be keen to get him in the first team at some stage.
posted on 30/5/20
If that was true it probably puts less pressure on the club to get Gomes to extend. They can replace his role in the squad with a player with similar traits. We spent a lot of money on him last year for a youth player, so I’m sure the club will be keen to get him in the first team at some stage.
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My thoughts exactly.
posted on 30/5/20
TRS
It’d be too early for Mengi for me. He’s mega composed and has a very good build, but I think he could do with a full season in the U23s before he’s marked for senior starts. It’s also just a dream watching him and Bernard play together. They’re just ridiculously commanding and confident.
Do you have any view on Ercolani? I think Darren might have called it in keeping him about for a bit of depth more than anything. I can’t see a route for him to the first team.
Watching Mejbri develop his confidence so quickly has been above all a whole lot of fun, but I’d be surprised to see him in any first team action next season.
If I had to decide right this minute, I’d:
- Promote Garner and Gomes (contract allowing) and give them plenty of minutes
- Keep in the U23s Laird, Mengi, Elanga, Traore and McCann, all of whom should be training with the first team squad from time to time
- Look to loan all of Henderson, O’Hara, Kovar, Levitt, Chong, Puigmal, Hamilton and maybe Ramazani
posted on 30/5/20
It’d be too early for Mengi for me.
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We won't know for sure unless he plays. They obviously think highly enough of him in training.
Also Neil Wood has said Mengi is somebody they're looking to push towards the first team next season and in his words 'do a Brandon' and I can see why.
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Do you have any view on Ercolani? I think Darren might have called it in keeping him about for a bit of depth more than anything. I can’t see a route for him to the first team.
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Ercolani's basically a ghost. The only reason I know he's still around is because I follow him on Instagram.
I'd fully expect him to move on in the not too distant future but keeping him for another season makes sense.
posted on 30/5/20
It’d be too early for Mengi for me. He’s mega composed and has a very good build, but I think he could do with a full season in the U23s before he’s marked for senior starts.
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We’ll probably have no choice in some cup competitions when Tuanzebe, Jones and the Ivorian Jones all get injured at the same time.
posted on 30/5/20
comment by Joe The King Exotic (U10026)
posted 1 hour, 40 minutes ago
It’d be too early for Mengi for me. He’s mega composed and has a very good build, but I think he could do with a full season in the U23s before he’s marked for senior starts.
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We’ll probably have no choice in some cup competitions when Tuanzebe, Jones and the Ivorian Jones all get injured at the same time.
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“Ivorian Jones”
There’s more than one similarity there, tbf.
posted on 30/5/20
It’s an apt name.