Ole Gunnar Solskjaer wants more from Manchester United’s academy players.
The first-team manager has challenged all of the club’s youth players to replicate Mason Greenwood, Brandon Williams by forcing their way into the senior side.
It’s been great to watch a manager keen on promoting home-grown youth stars since he replaced José Mourinho at Old Trafford in December 2018. He has been able to use Marcus Rashford, Scott McTominay and Jesse Lingard as prime examples for those young boys — but now there’s more, and some whom have Solskjaer to thank for giving them their first-team debuts.
Solskjaer believes the future is bright at United and he will soon want to work closely on the development of players like Teden Mengi, James Garner and Hannibal Mejbri. Those are the three youth players being tipped for top.
He sounds pleased that youth football has returned, even though the U23’s lost to Leicester City last night (via ManUtd.com): “The whole of the academies in the country must be excited because we lost so many months of valuable time for kids to play. So I’m happy we’re back.
“I think it’s been looking good and there are some interesting and exciting prospects there.”
When asked directly whether he expects more youngsters to follow the likes of Greenwood and Williams into the first team, he added: “I would hope so and think so. That should always be part of being a Manchester United academy player, knowing the pathway is there.
“We, as coaching staff and as a club, will always give good, young players a chance if they go through the ranks, when you’re getting ready to get the chance to have a feel of the first team as well.
“Hopefully, some really improve over the course of the season and get in and around the first team.”
Read our report from United’s youth game last night – losing against Leicester with noted absentees from the starting line-up.
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