da bwin： Manchester United boast arguably the most successful academy in the history of English football, producing the likes of Bobby Charlton, George Best and the ever-famed Class of ’92 – who became so intrinsic to the Red Devils’ late-90s-early-2000s dominance that they even have their own documentary.
da prosport bet： Likewise, nurturing young talent into world-class stars is one of the hallmarks of Louis van Gaal’s management career. Spanning spells at Ajax, Barcelona and Bayern Munich, the likes of Edwin van der Saar, Patrick Kluivert, Clarence Seedorf, Carles Puyol, Andres Iniesta, Thomas Muller and Toni Kroos all became first team regulars for their respective clubs under the Dutchman’s leadership.
So with that in mind and the new Premier League campaign just around the corner, Football FanCast have taken a look at the SIX Red Devils youngsters you should be keeping an eye on next season.
Could one of these SIX emerge as the next Gary Neville or Ryan Giggs by the end of the 2015/16 season?
ADNAN JANUZAJ
Let’s start with the obvious – Adnan Januzaj. The winger wizzkid may have endured a woeful 2014/15 campaign, failing to record a goal or an assist in 850 minutes of Premier League football, but his enormous potential is undeniable.
Indeed, the manner in which he exploded onto the Premier League scene with a stunning brace against Sunderland in October 2013 was truly something special, and there’s just something about the way the 20 year-old manipulates the ball that insinuates superstardom could be just around the corner.
Some have suggested a loan move for the Belgium international this season – certainly a sensible idea considering how severely his development could be stunted by another season on the bench.
But reports in May revealed Januzaj isn’t interested in leaving the club temporarily and Louis van Gaal has since hinted the prodigious winger will have a significant role next season.
In addition to providing back-up on the flanks, the Old Trafford gaffer intends to utilise Januzaj as a centre-forward next term – a change in role that could be the making of him.
JESSE LINGARD
Louis van Gaal is clearly fond of Jesse Lingard, issuing the Warrington-born youngster a Premier League debut during his first competitive fixture as Manchester United boss.
Unfortunately, it was ended after just 24 minutes due to injury, which ended the 22 year-old’s involvement in first team affairs for the rest of the season and eventually resulted in a 15-game loan spell with Derby County in February.
But the winger-forward was arguably the only England U21 to leave the summer’s European Championship with his reputation enhanced, netting a stunning strike in England’s solitary win against Sweden.
And since returning to club football, he’s enjoyed a prominent role on United’s pre-season tour, featuring against Club America and San Jose Earthquakes as well as scoring against Barcelona last Saturday.
The Metro have tipped Lingard for a bigger role in the first team next season and it seems relatively likely.
How much game-time he receives, however, will be largely dependent on the Red Devils’ transfer activity. Barcelona’s Pedro looks set to arrive at Old Trafford, whilst Angel Di Maria is expected to leave for PSG.
JAMES WILSON
Striker James Wilson originally broke into the Red Devils first team during Ryan Giggs’ short stint as interim manager, netting a brace on his senior debut against Hull City.
And despite managing just two goals at senior level since, Louis van Gaal has clearly seen enough talent in the youngster to keep him involved in first team affairs, issuing him 17 appearances across all competitions last season.
He’s certainly an industrious kind of forward – which is quickly becoming the preferred model in the Premier League over the more lackadaisical, poacher styles of yesteryear.
And much like Adnan Januzaj, the United boss has hinted that he’ll continue to use Wilson in a cameo capacity next season, recently listing the 19 year-old as one of his centre-forward options.
With the summer window dragging on, it’s becoming less likely United will find replacements for Radamel Falcao and now-Fenerbahce star Robin van Persie, suggesting whether by fortune or design Wilson will see a decent amount of Premier League action next term.
ANDREAS PEREIRA
Playmaking midfielder Andreas Pereira is amongst United’s most exciting academy products, having captained the Red Devils to Milk Cup glory in 2013, played an intrinsic role in the Brazil side that reached the U20 World Cup final last month and picked up 2014/15’s Reserve Player of the Year award at Old Trafford.
The 19 year-old made his Premier League debut against Tottenham Hotspur in March and was rewarded with a long-term contract two months later, tying him down to the Red Devils until 2018.
There’s been some murmurings of the 5 foot 10 midfielder going out on loan next season, but Pereira’s father has already suggested that won’t be the case as the youngster looks to break into United’s first team.
Considering United have already signed two international midfielders this summer in Morgan Schneiderlin and Bastian Schweinsteiger, a consistent run in the Premier League seems unlikely.
But a recurring role in the auxiliary tournaments – the Capital One Cup and the FA Cup particularly – is certainly plausible.
SAM JOHNSTONE
A potential beneficiary of the ever-complicating David De Gea situation, depending on how transfer matters develop between now and the close of the summer window promising goalkeeper Sam Johnstone could soon find himself bumped up the Old Trafford pecking order.
Indeed, De Gea is still expected to join Real Madrid by the end of August whilst Louis van Gaal has declared back-up Victor Valdes will be sold after apparently refusing to play for the reserves and informed Anders Lindegaard that he’s free to find a new club.
That leaves bosman signing Sergio Romero and Johnstone as the only remaining goalkeepers on the United books. Even if United sign mooted target Jasper Cillessen as De Gea’s replacement, the England U20 will still be the club’s third-choice ‘keeper.
It appears to be a situation van Gaal is already preparing for – selecting Johnstone over Lindegaard in three of the Red Devils’ pre-season fixtures against Club America, San Jose Earthquakes and Barcelona.
The son of former Preston North End goalie Glenn Johnstone has certainly earned his stripes in the Football League, registering 70 appearances throughout loan spells with Scunthorpe, Yeovil, Doncaster and PNE, but whether he has what it takes to fill the void between the Old Trafford sticks remains to be seen.
MEMPHIS DEPAY
He may have arrived at Old Trafford for a whopping £25million in June but let’s not forget Memphis Depay is still just 21 years of age.
Of course, the Netherlands international will be held to completely different standards to the rest of the youngsters on this list. Whilst Lingard et al are just breaking through, Depay has already earned a nomination for the Best Young Player award at a World Cup and fired a club to a league title, with his 22 goals last season securing PSV their first Eredivisie crowning since 2008.
Talents from the Dutch top flight have struggled in the Premier League before and the continuous comparisons with a young Cristiano Ronaldo seem a little premature. But the fact Louis van Gaal felt obliged to ‘act quickly’ to sign the winger-forward amid approaches from PSG, Bayern Munich and Liverpool tells all about how highly-rated Depay truly is.
It seems dangerous to judge Depay on just a single season but Premier League fans will certainly be monitoring the 17-cap international’s progress closely next term.