In recent weeks Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has been forced to delve into the club’s reserve and youth sides, due to the high number of injuries in the first team.
The Dutchman has not been let down by the youngsters who have produced solid performances when given the chance by the manager.
United fans will be hoping that the experience at such a young age will turn some of these players into long serving first-team regulars and stars.
Here is a look at just some of the youngsters who may well carry the club forward:
Donald Love
Age: 21
Position: Defender
The full-back joined the club when he was aged just seven after being watched by the one and only Sir Alex Ferguson.
A player who can play a magnitude of positions across the back four and in the midfield penned his first professional contract with the club back in 2013, Ferguson’s final year.
Love made his debut earlier this season in a game against Sunderland, coming off the bench.
POPULAR ARTICLES
EPL – What We Learned – West Ham United 1 Tottenham Hotspur 0
EPL – Tactical Analysis – West Ham United 1 Tottenham Hotspur 0
The North London Derby and the passion of two season ticket holders
EPL – Outside90’s Team of the Week – Matchday 28
Joe Riley
Age: 19
Position: Defender/Midfielder
The youngster joined the club’s youth academy aged six years old, he made fans feel old when he posted a photo alongside ex-Red Devil Cristiano Ronaldo.
Yet another versatile player at the disposal of the club which will please manager van Gaal, who enjoys working with players who can play in a whole host of positions.
He replaced fellow youngster Cameron Borthwick-Jackson off the bench in his debut against Shrewsbury.
Reegan Poole
Age: 17
Position: Centre-back
The youngster joined the club in the summer transfer window from Newport County.
Poole made his debut as a last minute substitute in the home leg of the Europa League against FC Midtjylland.
His former coach at Newport Mick Flynn described the defender as a good player on the ball.
James Weir
Age: 20
Position: Midfielder
The 20-year-old is the current skipper for the Under-21’s and made his first-team debut last weekend against Arsenal, coming off the bench.
In the reserve’s side Weir has been operating from the left hand side this season as he told the Manchester United official website.
Although, Weir is at his best when he is deployed in the centre-of-the-park.
Axel Tuanzebe
Age: 18
Position: Defender
The young defender is yet to make his debut for the senior team although he does continue to be a regular in Warren Joyce’s under-21 side this season.
He has been involved in the matchday squad for the senior side, after he earned a place on the bench for the clash with Crystal Palace.
Many have backed the 18-year-old to make the senior side due to his physical presence at the back.
Cameron Borthwick-Jackson
Age: 19
Position: Full-back
Borthwick-Jackson is arguably the best story to come out of the United academy so far this season, having made the most senior appearances.
The young defender made his debut in a league game against West Bromwich Albion and has since become a regular part of the first-team.
Breathtakingly, the fullback made his under-21 debut at just 16 years of age.
Marcus Rashford
Age: 18
Position: Striker
Stunningly, the striker scored a brace in both his Premier League and European debuts for the first-team.
Rashford has given fans something to cheer about in recent weeks after a topsy-turvy run of results.
The 18-year-old is tipped for a bright future with the first team, a talent United must keep hold of.
Sean Goss
Age: 20
Position: Midfielder
Having impressed during pre-season Goss earnt himself a spot on the first-team tour to America early in the season.
The young midfielder is yet to make his senior debut despite his promise in the early stages of the season.
Goss was key to the under-21’s winning the side last season with coach Warren Joyce describing him as ‘dependable’.
Andreas Pereira
Age: 20
Position: Midfielder
The Brazillian has long been considered one of the hottest prospect amongst the United youth ranks in recent years.
Pereira made his debut off the bench back in 2014 when the Red Devils were embarrassed by third tier side MK Dons 4-0.
He recently signed a deal to keep him at the club until 2018 after much speculation about his future.
Timothy Fosu-Mensah
Age: 18
Position: Defender
The defender joined the club from the famed Ajax youth academy, in a move that is a massive coup for United, if the player can reach his potential.
Fosu-Mensah is able to play centrally in defence or in the middle of the park.
The 18-year-old made his starting debut against Watford, after making his first appearance off the bench against Arsenal.
Joe Rothwell
Age: 21
Position: Midfielder
Rothwell is yet to make an appearance for the senior team, although he did make the bench for the game against Watford.
Identified as a strong passer of the ball, is a plus point for the youngster in the way Van Gaal likes to set up his team.
With the ball at his feet the 21-year-old shows great ambition to drive forward and has a knack for finding the back of the net.
What are your thoughts? Let us know by dropping a comment below via our Facebook comment box. Make sure you follow us on Twitter @Outside90 and like us on Facebook.
