Manchester United as a football institution has always developed the best young players. The established academy aims to develop young footballers with the hope that some make it into the first team.
Well, the more the merrier as seen with the Busby Babes and Class of 92. Two periods that separate United from the rest.
From the influence of Jimmy Murphy and Eric Harrison at United, managers are now expected to show faith in youth players with the view of being the future of the club. Erik ten Hag has followed that rich tradition at United following the emergence of Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo, who have both become key players in his side.
In the transfer market, Ten Hag has prioritised younger signings, as seen with Rasmus Hojlund last year. United were heavily linked with Harry Kane, but the England captain opted to sign for Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich. It proved that the Dutchman views his job as being long-term, despite constant fears he would face the sack.
2024 Golden Boy nominees announced
The finalists for the 2024 Golden Boy award features the best young talent across Europe, including three United starlets.
New signing Leny Yoro features even though he has yet to make a competition appearance for United due to injury. There’s also room for academy graduates Garnacho and Mainoo.
It’s an award that has been run for the last two decades by Italian outlet Tuttosport, who reward the best footballer aged under 21 competing across Europe.
Lionel Messi and Wayne Rooney have won the award in the past.
The 20-man list, which has been narrowed down after two rounds, is listed blow:
- Lamine Yamal (Barcelona)
- João Neves (Paris Saint-Germain)
- Warren Zaïre-Emery (Paris Saint-Germain)
- Alejandro Garnacho (Manchester United)
- Pau Cubarsí (Barcelona)
- Savinho (Manchester City)
- Rico Lewis (Manchester City)
- Aleksandar Pavlović (Bayern Munich)
- Kobbie Mainoo (Manchester United)
- Jorrel Hato (Ajax)
- Leny Yoro (Manchester United)
- Jamie Bynoe-Gittens (Borussia Dortmund)
- Kenan Yıldız (Juventus)
- Cristhian Mosquera (Valencia)
- Adam Wharton (Crystal Palace)
- Arda Güler (Real Madrid)
- Mathys Tel (Bayern Munich)
- Désiré Doué (Paris Saint-Germain)
- Oscar Gloukh (RB Salzburg)
- Samuel Omorodion (Porto)
Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal is the favourite to win this year’s Golden Boy award after his incredible emergence at Barcelona and in the Spain national team in their triumphant Euro 2024 campaign.
