The Manchester United Thread

31/12/2014 10:22, Report by Adam Marshall

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[h=1]Opinion: Ones to watch in 2015[/h]Despite having watched Manchester United's Under-21 and Under-18 sides in action throughout the year, I find it nigh on impossible to predict which young players will be the ones to watch in 2015.
Every young player develops at his own pace and far better judges than me within the club would have their own private views on those who can make rapid strides as we enter the New Year.
However, without being privvy to the progress being made behind the scenes with coaches Warren Joyce and Paul McGuinness, the evidence provided in competitive matches has supplied clues regarding some of those who can be pleased with their efforts so far this term and should be relishing the chance to impress further.
At Reserves level, several star performers are fully established now and have been in and around Louis van Gaal's first-team squad. Paddy McNair, Tyler Blackett, Tom Thorpe, Saidy Janko, Andreas Pereira, Marnick Vermijl, Reece James and Will Keane surely need little introduction to ManUtd.com readers.
Young midfielders Ben Pearson and Joe Rothwell have overcome a spell out through illness this term to showcase their obvious talents and, again, have proved their worth in the Under-21s. But it could be argued that somebody who is ahead of schedule is Josh Harrop.
A clever midfield schemer, Harrop is the first of the batch of the Under-19 age group, who would have been in playing in the UEFA Youth League had the Reds competed in the Champions League, to cement a place in Joyce's plans. Harrop was outstanding in a pre-season friendly at Barnsley, scoring twice, and has looked at home after stepping up a level.
Despite sustaining a couple of injuries, he has shown resilience and confidence in his own ability. Not only is he comfortable in possession and a goal threat but he has a willingness to show tenacity in the tackle and a respect for the less glamorous areas of the game for a creative player.
Another of those with plenty of potential is goalkeeper Joel Castro Pereira who started the campaign as Joyce's no.1 for the Reserves but was sidelined with a back injury. With senior figures Anders Lindegaard and Ben Amos gaining game-time with the second string, he is having to bide his time but there is little doubting his promise.
United are blessed with a number of assured keepers and, of course, Sam Johnstone and Vanja Milinkovic are currently out on loan but Pereira appears to be growing in authority. It is perfectly understandable that he has plenty to work on yet his competitive nature and bubbly personality should stand him in good stead.
Time is very much on the 18-year-old's side and the same can be said for everybody in the Academy squad. The Reds have a fourth-round tie in the FA Youth Cup against Hull City to look forward to and several of Paul McGuinness' prospects have caught the eye in the first part of the season.
Demetri Mitchell was catching the eye in attack before picking up an injury and striker Marcus Rashford has stepped up to the plate with some impressive displays. Young Dutch signing Timothy Fosu-Mensah has looked the part since getting his international clearance and has been demonstrating in both midfield and defence that he has the power and physique to influence games at youth level.
Whatever 2015 has in store for all of our youngsters, they must feel comforted by the prospect of van Gaal continuing to pin his faith in the youth system. James Wilson is another of those who has already earned the trust of the boss and it is the example players and personalities like him provide that will stand United in good stead for the challenges ahead.
 
Theatreof Dreams said:
jamie jackson✔@JamieJackson___ Follow Manchester United identify Everton’s Seamus Coleman as transfer target http://gu.com/p/44ggt/stw #mufc #efc
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Really like Coleman think he would be an excellent addition to the squad so I hope this is true. If it doesn't happen in January I would hope we go for him or Clyne in the summer would add depth and quality in right back . I can only hope though :-)
 
Dazmufc93 said:
Really like Coleman think he would be an excellent addition to the squad so I hope this is true. If it doesn't happen in January I would hope we go for him or Clyne in the summer would add depth and quality in right back . I can only hope though :-)
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Clyne's a quality shout. Brilliant defensively and offensively, and based on his first two England performances he should be first choice going into the next set of games.
 
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UtdReport.com @UtdReport Follow A deal for Radamel Falcao will be made permanent in the next few weeks for €40m. [marca]
 
Dazmufc93 said:
Really like Coleman think he would be an excellent addition to the squad so I hope this is true. If it doesn't happen in January I would hope we go for him or Clyne in the summer would add depth and quality in right back . I can only hope though :-)
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I would prefer Clyne tbh. Coleman has been poor this season.
 
Angel di Maria is back in training following pelvic injury and could feature for Manchester United against Stoke on New Year's Day #MUFC Herrera also may feature and has travelled with squad
 
Sport Witness@Sport_Witness Follow Marca say Falcao's permanent Man United deal to be completed 'in coming days' after he passed latest medical tests. 31m pounds.
 
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Steve Bates @sbates_people Follow 1/2 Team news update for #mufc: Smalling may replace McNair Valencia struggling with knock so Young to rwb and Shaw lwb if he's out
 
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