The Manchester United Thread
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Theatreof Dreams
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Nicky **** has spoken in length about his new role as head of Manchester United’s academy.
United announced on Tuesday that **** had been appointed head of the club’s fabled academy, replacing Brian McClair – who left to join the Scottish Football Association last year.
**** was part of the most famous group to have graduated from the club’s youth set-up in recent times – the famous Class of 92, which included stars like Paul Scholes, Gary Neville, Phil Neville, David Beckham and Ryan Giggs.
And now he has been charged with restoring the reputation of an academy whose prominence in the area has come under threat following the multi-million pound expansion of Manchester City’s academy, where many ex-United players have sent their children in the last few years.
Despite the expansion of City’s elite development squads, **** is adamant that United remain the best option for youngsters who are about to embark upon a career in the game.
“No-one else can touch our club, with our pathway for the players to come through,” the former United midfielder told MUTV.
“We speak to the parents very passionately about it and the evidence is there for all to see.
“There are not many clubs I can think of that produce that pathway. We’ve done that very well for many years but we can’t stand still.
“We must move forward with every aspect of the Academy and it starts with me taking over and moving forward. We know we’re not far away.”
**** said he had been “given assurances” that the club was still moving forward despite the poor performance of the first team in the Barclays Premier League.
Beleaguered manager Louis van Gaal has brought the likes of Jesse Lingard, Cameron Borthwick-Jackson and Paddy McNair into the first team, but had there not been a raft of injuries in the senior squad, it is debatable whether they would have got their chance.
“Everybody needs a bit of luck,” **** added.
“In fairness, the lads who have come in last year and this year have taken their chances. Credit all the coaches who have had them since seven, eight or nine and it’s something we’re very proud of.”
**** made 387 appearances for the club during a 12-year spell in which time he won six Premier League titles, three FA Cups, and the Champions League once.
The former England midfielder, who also played for Newcastle, returned to United in 2012 as a reserve team coach and has recently been coaching the Under-19 side.
He has set his sights high in his latest job, claiming he and the club should be looking to produce one-club players and Champions League winners at Carrington.
“That’s what a Manchester United player’s job is – to make the difference. You don’t just come here to play 10 games and move on to another club,” he said.
“We want them to be here for many years. We want another Giggs, Neville or Scholes, these one-club guys who play here for many years and contribute to the club.
“That’s what our aim is. We’re very proud when they make their debuts, very proud when they have careers in the Championship and League One but, ultimately, the aim is to provide top, top class players for Manchester United that can go on to win the Champions League.
**** is desperate to do his bit to bring the glory days back to Old Trafford.
“Now it’s time to move forward and move the club back to where we feel it should be,” he added.
“We can’t stand still as a team in any area of the club. I’ve had reassurances about where we’re going so it’s all positive.”
**** has not ruled out helping with coaching the Under-19s and is considering bringing in other people to support him in his wide-ranging role.
“It’s a massive job for one person,” he said.
“It may be for more than one person, so we are looking at bringing more people in to support me.”
United announced on Tuesday that **** had been appointed head of the club’s fabled academy, replacing Brian McClair – who left to join the Scottish Football Association last year.
**** was part of the most famous group to have graduated from the club’s youth set-up in recent times – the famous Class of 92, which included stars like Paul Scholes, Gary Neville, Phil Neville, David Beckham and Ryan Giggs.
And now he has been charged with restoring the reputation of an academy whose prominence in the area has come under threat following the multi-million pound expansion of Manchester City’s academy, where many ex-United players have sent their children in the last few years.
Despite the expansion of City’s elite development squads, **** is adamant that United remain the best option for youngsters who are about to embark upon a career in the game.
“No-one else can touch our club, with our pathway for the players to come through,” the former United midfielder told MUTV.
“We speak to the parents very passionately about it and the evidence is there for all to see.
“There are not many clubs I can think of that produce that pathway. We’ve done that very well for many years but we can’t stand still.
“We must move forward with every aspect of the Academy and it starts with me taking over and moving forward. We know we’re not far away.”
**** said he had been “given assurances” that the club was still moving forward despite the poor performance of the first team in the Barclays Premier League.
Beleaguered manager Louis van Gaal has brought the likes of Jesse Lingard, Cameron Borthwick-Jackson and Paddy McNair into the first team, but had there not been a raft of injuries in the senior squad, it is debatable whether they would have got their chance.
“Everybody needs a bit of luck,” **** added.
“In fairness, the lads who have come in last year and this year have taken their chances. Credit all the coaches who have had them since seven, eight or nine and it’s something we’re very proud of.”
**** made 387 appearances for the club during a 12-year spell in which time he won six Premier League titles, three FA Cups, and the Champions League once.
The former England midfielder, who also played for Newcastle, returned to United in 2012 as a reserve team coach and has recently been coaching the Under-19 side.
He has set his sights high in his latest job, claiming he and the club should be looking to produce one-club players and Champions League winners at Carrington.
“That’s what a Manchester United player’s job is – to make the difference. You don’t just come here to play 10 games and move on to another club,” he said.
“We want them to be here for many years. We want another Giggs, Neville or Scholes, these one-club guys who play here for many years and contribute to the club.
“That’s what our aim is. We’re very proud when they make their debuts, very proud when they have careers in the Championship and League One but, ultimately, the aim is to provide top, top class players for Manchester United that can go on to win the Champions League.
**** is desperate to do his bit to bring the glory days back to Old Trafford.
“Now it’s time to move forward and move the club back to where we feel it should be,” he added.
“We can’t stand still as a team in any area of the club. I’ve had reassurances about where we’re going so it’s all positive.”
**** has not ruled out helping with coaching the Under-19s and is considering bringing in other people to support him in his wide-ranging role.
“It’s a massive job for one person,” he said.
“It may be for more than one person, so we are looking at bringing more people in to support me.”
Theatreof Dreams
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Theatreof Dreams
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Man utd u18s just drew 1-1 against City. Also read a tweet earlier at work saying that Rooney and CBJ are injured thats why there not involved. And Giggs could be appionted as u21 manager as early as next week.
Theatreof Dreams
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✔ @DuckerTheTimes 10 of United's 18-man squad aged 23 or under. Rooney, Fellaini, CBJ injured, LVG not much choice but to bring youth with 9 injuries
✔
@DuckerTheTimes
Eight players who can play at full back absent: CBJ, Varela, Rojo, Shaw, Valencia, Young, Jones, Darmian #mufc
Fusershift
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Rooney out for two months
Average Joe
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ImAddicted
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Here's hoping Martial gets injured prior to the Arsenal game 
Scouseinthehouse
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Here's hoping Martial gets injured prior to the Arsenal game
What am I missing? Why do you want that again?
wkdsoul
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Should let them play for the U18, there getting panned in their divison.
ImAddicted
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Well assuming Rooney is actually injured then they will have no recognised centre forward. He's a pain to deal with and will no doubt tear Mertesacker to shreds.
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Scouseinthehouse
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Shoot. You're an Arsenal fan aren't you? My bad buddy. I was thinking you were a Utd fan.
Makes perfect sense now that's clicked.
3 points is not important when it comes to junior football. Player development is and for the players I mentioned it's important they are promoted to U21 and first team quickly.
wkdsoul
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Winning is important at any level for anyone destined to get to the top, its how winners are programmed and make it, they hate to lose. Always has been, always will be.
Nice to see the lads moving up though, always like to see the new kids with the funky names by this generation make it.
Deshawn McDale O'Malley shoots, he scores... its like watching FM turn out naff named regens. How i wish Nortei Nortey made the chelsea first team..
Theatreof Dreams
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✔ @JamieJackson___ LVG on Rooney:"That's also typical Wayne. He's a guy who wants to go until the end and if he is feeling pain, he doesn't want to go away"...
✔
@JamieJackson___
@JamieJackson___ "and certainly when you are drawing a match because he wants to win. That's a fantastic attitude but also it's bad for his"
Follow
jamie jackson ✔ @JamieJackson___
@JamieJackson___ "body. You do not know when it happened, so that's the difficulty."
Not necessarily. 11 average players winning youth cups or 2-3 special players making their mark for the first team? It's easy choice IMO.
Winning mentality is needed at all levels, I agree with that sentiment but I wouldn't trade players development just to win some youth cups.
wkdsoul
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u21s are points clear with a game in hand, i'd at least try and give the under 18s a stronger lineup and a win or two, just for squad morale at least, they were bottom of the table until recently. i'm sure players at that age can manage the extended gametime. Maybe its just me though.
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That won't do them any good. The players I have mentioned are playing very well in U21s and are on the verge of first team call up if there is crisis. IMO they should play in U21s and continue their development. They should be tested more and that happens more in U21s than at u18. Ro Shaun Williams, Tuanzebe have played their part in U18 and are promoted to U21 on merit, just like Fosu Mensah.
Previously Januzaj, Pogba, Rossi were all promoted and played well ahead of their age groups.
wkdsoul
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Might do the rest of the players in the u18s some good? i'm not on about the development of just those 3, but your under 18s have 4 wins in 20 games this year, thats gonna be depressing as **** eventually. When the 21's are clear on points, a morale boost for a game or two wont hurt their development and give the rest of the lads a boost at least.