The vast alumni of world-class talents Louis van Gaal has issued league debuts too verges upon legendary; Andres Iniesta, Xavi, Toni Kroos, Thomas Muller, Clarence Seedorf and Patrick Kluivert were all promoted to first team level by the Dutchman first.
So it’s a good job van Gaal finds himself at Manchester United – a club famed for it’s ability to develop young players, including the famous documentary-making class of ’92.
The new era at Old Trafford will be built from the ground up, so which academy starlets are currently in van Gaal’s thinking?
Just in case he’s a little short on a few ideas, here’s FIVE budding youngsters to five LVG food for thought.
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JAMES WILSON
James Wilson burst onto the Premier League last season during Ryan Giggs’ short caretaker spell at Manchester United, netting twice against Hull City:
//www.youtube.com/embed/8zEbioipG4k?rel=0
He’s since earned some promising monikers, including ‘the next Michael Owen’, and has done enough to claim a bit-part role in Louis van Gaal’s first team squad, making five substitute outings in the Premier League but still awaiting his first start under the Dutchman.
Meanwhile, he’s been bagging some stunning goals for the U21s, including this strike against Aston Villa’s second string earlier this month:
Robin van Persie and Radamel Falcao are both notoriously injury prone and LVG prefers Wayne Rooney at No.10, so the 18 year-old should see a fair bit of action this season.
Ryan Giggs and Phil Neville have both been singing the young striker’s praises recently, with the United assistant telling TalkSport; “He’s a brilliant prospect. I’ve always said about younger players that you can give them the chance but they have got to take it.”
Here’s the England U19’s highlights from last season – a campaign which saw him score at every age level for the Red Devils:
//www.youtube.com/embed/zS6cLbuqyj8?rel=0
JESSE LINGARD
21 year-old Jesse Lingard has enjoyed some productive spells in the English lower tiers, impressing on loan at Birmingham and Brighton last season to net three goals apiece for both Championship sides.
The attacking midfielder comes with a nimble frame, fluid agility and a deadly eye for goal, his preferred position being just behind the centre-forward in a shadow role. Here’s a clip of Lingard in action:
//www.youtube.com/embed/2HMDCgRj1xA?rel=0
He’s impressed on prior pre-season tours and became a surprise inclusion in Manchester United’s starting Xi on the opening day of the season against Swansea, suggesting the Warrington-born midfielder has already caught Louis van Gaal’s attention.
Unfortunately, Lingard’s inaugural Premier League outing ended in injury, but highly talented and a regular for England across the junior levels, most recently amassing four caps for the U21s, it won’t be long before he’s pushing for a first team place once again.
SAIDY JANKO
Manchester United fans won’t remember David Moyes’ eleven-month tenure too fondly, but they could be thanking the Scot in the years to come for signing former Zurich youngster Saidy Janko during his only summer at the club.
The 19 year-old won the Reserves’ Player of the Season award during his debut term at Old Trafford and has since earned his first senior appearance for the Red Devils – a substitute outing in the 4-0 Capital One Cup defeat to MK Dons.
Janko’s famed for his blend of pace, power and versatility, being capable of playing anywhere along the right-hand flank. Here’s a look at the teenager in action:
//www.youtube.com/embed/xqfRQCOuVQc?rel=0
With Rafael out injured and Louis van Gaal reverting back to a 3-5-2 in recent weeks, the Switzerland U19 could be the perfect deputy for the likeminded Antonio Valencia in the wing-back slot.
He’s still got a lot to learn however so a January loan move to gain more experience certainly isn’t out of the question.
PATRICK MCNAIR AND TYLER BLACKETT
Manchester United look set to spend untold fortunes on defensive reinforcements in the January window but could a far cheaper solution be right under Louis van Gaal’s nose?
Considering their inexperience at Premier League level and lack of leadership in United’s defence, both Patrick McNair and Tyler Blackett have excelled since their top flight debuts earlier this season.
United have won all four Premier League fixtures where McNair has started for example, and the 19 year-old is now involved with the Northern Ireland senior squad. He even kept beastly front-man Romelu Lukaku at bay when Everton visited Old Trafford back in October:
//www.youtube.com/embed/s-umJTFr3Z0?rel=0
Likewise, Blackett, although occasionally cumbersome, offers a good reading of the game for a 20 year-old centre-half whilst his mixture of height and pace is perfect for the Premier League. Here’s a look at the 6 foot 2 starlet in action:
//www.youtube.com/embed/-5hQiY0mAnI?rel=0
Both were at the heart of United’s 2-1 win over Arsenal last weekend, defending admirably, and although they’re still quite far from the finished article, the centre-back duo have surely done enough to be considered in Louis van Gaal’s long-term plans.
ANDREAS PEREIRA
Arguably Manchester United’s most anticipated academy player, Sir Alex Ferguson fought off interest from Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool to sign Andreas Pereira from PSV Eindhoven in 2011.
The young midfielder has since become integral for the Red Devils at Junior level, captaining United’s successful 2013 Milk Cup campaign, where he won the Player of the Tournament award after netting three times en route to the final.
A real, old-fashioned No.10, the Belgian-born Brazilian, whose father played for Royal Antwerp, is famed for his creativity and technical ability, as shown in the video below:
//www.youtube.com/embed/LK_tvxcA9Ho?rel=0
The 18 year-old’s leadership qualities will impress Louis van Gaal too and he’s already caught the United gaffer’s attention, earning a place in the Red Devils squad that lost to MK Dons in the Capital One Cup.
The Old Trafford outfit are currently blessed with a plethora of top class No.10s however so Pereira’s unlikely to feature at first team level any time soon.
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