Thread by @StatmanScouts, #MUFC YOUTH PLAYERS THREAD With Manchester United’s side beginning to really [...]

#MUFC YOUTH PLAYERS THREAD

With Manchester United’s side beginning to really take shape, it’s worth taking a look at their underbelly of youth talent and discussing which players could be ready to step into the first team squad and add some depth.

#MUFC YOUTH PLAYERS THREAD With Manchester United’s side beginning to really take shape, it’s worth taking a look at their underbelly of youth talent and discussing which players could be ready to step into the first team squad and add some depth.

Man Utd have a really strong starting XI at the moment but there’s not a great deal of quality outside of that. The side could look to prioritise spending money on 1/2 starters and flesh out the squad via the academy rather than paying over the odds for rotational options.

Today we’re going to be taking a look at the following players:

Ethan Laird

Teden Mengi

Dylan Levitt

James Garner

Hannibal Mejbri

There are, of course, many more bright talents in Manchester United’s youth ranks. We’ve picked the players that we’re asked about most often and those whose next steps are most interesting or defining.

Ethan Laird [RB]

A natural RB whose excellent balance allows him to play on either side, Laird is one of the brightest talents in the academy. Laird is a different profile to any of MUFC’s current full-backs: a great dribbler who does his best work in the final third

Man Utd are very difficult to play against at the moment, but their most muted attacking spells post-restart have come when teams have congested the centre of the pitch and forced them wide. In these situations, Man Utd could really use somebody with Laird’s skillset.

Having mentioned him in multiple press conferences, given him minutes and the Europa League and added him to the first team squad, OGS is clearly keen on Laird. If any full-backs are moved on in the window, expect Man Utd’s replacement to be internal

If the makeup of their full-backs doesn’t change before next season, a loan would make a lot of sense - not only to aid his development but also to give him an opportunity to prove that he can maintain fitness over the course of a full season. An Eredivisie move seems sensible.

Teden Mengi [CB]

Having caught the eye during MUFC'S FA Youth Cup run, in which they conceded a single goal in 360 minutes, Mengi looks well-positioned to step in as a back-up CB option. This is especially true given the lack of availability of Bailly and Tuanzebe this szn.

Mengi is excellent at driving with the ball from deep. He has that Koulibaly-esque nudge into space-scan-drive when he has space to move into the final third. Like Laird, he’s a different profile to the options that Man Utd currently have in his position.

There have been rumours of Man Utd looking to sign a back up CB for next season, but you could make the case that they should invest elsewhere and trust Teden Mengi to play that role. Maguire, Lindelöf, Tuanzebe, Bailly, Mengi and Jones is pretty ample depth.

Having Teden Mengi step up would allow any money generated by Smalling or Rojo leaving on permanent deals to be invested in higher priority areas. His development over the past year has been great, so it makes sense for him to stay at the club for now rather than going on loan.

Dylan Levitt [CM]

A supple, progressive midfielder. On his first team debut, Levitt played 12 progressive passes - no player on the pitch played more. As Man Utd evolve their midfield, he’s definitely somebody that could have a part to play. A Championship loan makes sense.

Levitt’s skillset would suit playing as the deepest midfielder in a possession-dominant side or as the more technical of a midfield pair in a 4-2-3-1. His signature pass is a clipped ball into the path of a wide forward which could really benefit MUFC in the long-term.

For now, getting some experience at a high level has to be the next step. He’s technically a very complete player and could be a real asset to any side in the top half of the Championship. He could even look to mould himself into that long-term Matic replacement with that loan.

James Garner [CM]

It’s clear that James Garner has levelled up massively this season, becoming a much more box-to-box midfielder and imposing himself in games with ease. Garner has played various roles at U23 level which has really aided his contribution off the ball.

He has sound defensive positioning and is capable of playing as a ball-winning midfielder when out of possession but is a natural playmaker with the ball. Additionally, he has a great knack of staying with the ball-carrier when Man Utd go forwards and creating central overloads.

At this point, he is simply too good to be playing youth football. A move to a Championship club aiming for promotion would be a good fit given how hard it is to get those minutes at MUFC right now. He’s definitely somebody the club should be building a pathway for.

Hannibal Mejbri [CM]

Another one that really caught that eye during that FA Youth Cup run, the Monaco export is one of the most gifted players in his age group. Deceptively athletic, great at carrying the ball and always on the move - Mejbri really is something special.

There’s a Jack Grealish-ness about the way he’s able to shoulder the creative burden of his team and force opposition defenders to try to kick him out of the game. He’s able to break lines either through carrying or passing.

There’s no real gap in Mejbri’s game: he always imposes himself on games, he works remarkably hard defensively and his final third contribution is great. He could develop into a great number 10 or play deeper.

As you’d expect given the price tag and hype, Hannibal Mejbri is one of the most promising talents that Carrington has seen for some time. He hasn’t played a full season of U23 football yet, though, so that clearly should be the next step.

End of thread. Any questions about Man Utd's young talents? Feel free to ask.

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