For me the most interesting part of last night was getting a glimpse at the youngsters. Obviously, these cameos gave us no more than snapshots which are no basis for making judgements about their imminent, let alone long term, future.
Still, interested to read everyone's first impressions, and also how those compare with what the regular academy watchers see in the players.
For me, I thought you got a sense of Amad's year and a half age advantage over Shoretire, and the fact that he has been on the fringes of senior football for a year longer. Of course, they were both a fairly marginal presence in a game that was in any case winding down, with the team managing the final phase comfortably and not pushing too hard for a goal. But Amad looked quite sharp and looked as though his mind was on imposing himself on the game, not just surviving it. To me Shoretire had slightly more the look of a boy among men, and not just physically. Memory reminds me that these things can change rapidly though.
Also a word for Brandon Williams. Familiarity breeds contempt and I guess the honeymoon period with our community is over, but I think he has a chance at the club if he can bring a touch of refinement to his game, along with improved decision making that comes from experience, to add to the qualities he already has: a fearless competitiveness verging on nastiness in his defensive game, better instincts in the attacking third than our senior full backs, good ball control.
the youngsters
posted on 26/2/21
^ When I say “belong in the U23s”, I should clarify that I mean playing for the U23s.
I don’t have a problem with either being in the senior squad bubble, although I would have left Shoretire with the U23s, personally.
posted on 26/2/21
I appreciate what you're saying rosso, but we live in an age of instant gratification and I want to see at least one of the U23s break through now. Not later, now. And for that reason I disagree with you.
What do you think about Brandon's progress / prospects, btw?
posted on 26/2/21
I think that Amad has more chance of game time this season than Shola. He looks at least a year away to me, but good to get him in the first team and give him a taste. Hopefully he will keep getting bits and pieces in the first team in the cup matches next season.
Regarding Williams, he does have something about him and I think he will have a career in the PL. However, I don't believe that he will make it at United in the long term. He is behind Shaw and Telles at LB. He might get a few games at RB this season, but I think ultimately Laird will overtake him in the pecking order - possibly as early as next season. In which case he will likely have to move on to get first team football.
posted on 26/2/21
comment by Red Russian (U4715)
posted 26 minutes ago
I appreciate what you're saying rosso, but we live in an age of instant gratification and I want to see at least one of the U23s break through now. Not later, now. And for that reason I disagree with you.
What do you think about Brandon's progress / prospects, btw?
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I think it’s a shame he isn’t out on loan for the second half of the season.
I think the club probably knew TFM was leaving and wanted extra cover at RB. An injury or illness to AWB and one at CB, and having only Tuanzebe and Lindelof as options at RB doesn’t look very clever. As such, the timing of TFM’s departure hasn’t done Brandon any favours.
There’s still a future for him at United though. He has a very good toolkit, defensively and offensively. His physical stature doesn’t help him greatly given the modern game, but he’s both tough as nails and tenacious, which help make up for that a little; and his touch is good (as you’ve mentioned), he reads the game well enough, he wants to get forward and move the ball forward, he can dribble, link up and cross the ball. Off the pitch the coaches like his workrate and how he listens.
He has some obvious stuff to work on: he can be a little gung-ho, which gets him in trouble positionally and with the ref, and his passing could be a little more considered, but I don’t see anything which screams to me that he couldn’t cut it at United.
posted on 26/2/21
comment by Elvis: King of Cult (U7425)
posted 1 hour, 14 minutes ago
I think that Amad has more chance of game time this season than Shola. He looks at least a year away to me, but good to get him in the first team and give him a taste. Hopefully he will keep getting bits and pieces in the first team in the cup matches next season.
Regarding Williams, he does have something about him and I think he will have a career in the PL. However, I don't believe that he will make it at United in the long term. He is behind Shaw and Telles at LB. He might get a few games at RB this season, but I think ultimately Laird will overtake him in the pecking order - possibly as early as next season. In which case he will likely have to move on to get first team football.
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With Laird’s injury issues, I’m not entirely sure about that. We’ll have to see if he can get fit and stay fit first.
I wouldn’t be at all surprised to see us buy an RB in the summer.
posted on 26/2/21
Shoretire is going to have to do some serious growing in the next few years if he is to make it. He was to easy to knock of the ball last night.
posted on 26/2/21
comment by Vidicschin (U3584)
posted 2 minutes ago
Shoretire is going to have to do some serious growing in the next few years if he is to make it. He was to easy to knock of the ball last night.
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I'd imagine he does indeed have some serious growing ahead of him. He's the first footballer I've seen representing Manchester United who looks about the same age as some of the kids in my twins' year at school. And they're 14!
posted on 26/2/21
For the money paid on Amad, I expect nothing but a stellar career. Post Fergie We've splurged to waste for players that didn't quite cut it(Mata, Di maria, Pogba)
I don't trust our recruitment as we pay big money for average talents and pass on good prospects. We apparently had De Ligt, Mpabbe in our sights and passed on them. Hopefully, Amad and Hannibal make up for it.
posted on 26/2/21
comment by Martial Law (U13506)
posted 40 minutes ago
For the money paid on Amad, I expect nothing but a stellar career. Post Fergie We've splurged to waste for players that didn't quite cut it(Mata, Di maria, Pogba)
I don't trust our recruitment as we pay big money for average talents and pass on good prospects. We apparently had De Ligt, Mpabbe in our sights and passed on them. Hopefully, Amad and Hannibal make up for it.
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Well, I do think that our approach has been better since Ole took over. That's not to say that every signing has been a success, but I think that we are moving in the right way in terms of the signings that we have targeted. My major issue being the amount of money that we paid for Maguire. That said, if we can partner him with the right player, he could still prove to be a good signing.
posted on 26/2/21
comment by Red Russian (U4715)
posted 1 hour, 56 minutes ago
comment by Vidicschin (U3584)
posted 2 minutes ago
Shoretire is going to have to do some serious growing in the next few years if he is to make it. He was to easy to knock of the ball last night.
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I'd imagine he does indeed have some serious growing ahead of him. He's the first footballer I've seen representing Manchester United who looks about the same age as some of the kids in my twins' year at school. And they're 14!
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You’ve probably read this already, but he became the youngest ever player to turn out for United in European competition last night, beating Whiteside’s record.
17 years and 23 days.