Manchester United’s senior team still has something to play for in the Europa League but the youngsters’ season took a huge hit recently.
Man Utd U18s lost to Aston Villa in the FA Youth Cup on penalties to bow out at the semi-final stage in what will be a huge disappointment to everyone involved.
United brought out the big guns for the game, sending Chido Obi to participate but the team couldn’t take their chances in the end.
However, the aim at that level is development first and foremost and with Sir Alex Ferguson watching, Ruben Amorim might have received a new first-team player despite the defeat.
Photo by Zohaib Alam - MUFC/Manchester United via Getty Images
Photo by Zohaib Alam – MUFC/Manchester United via Getty Images
Ruben Amorim’s new Man Utd first-team player
Amorim has overcome early criticism to start giving debuts to academy products. Chido Obi has impressed in cameos while Harry Amass has been dependable as well.
Amass was even taken out of the U18s squad for the FA Youth Cup semifinal so he could be involved with the senior team.
Amass’ absence might have cost United in the semi-final but another player who shone despite the defeat should give Amorim cause for celebration.
It was the record-breaking wonderkid again for the academy side, as James Scanlon latched on to a loose ball in the area to equalise for United.
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Scanlon was a menace throughout with his ghosting movements in and around the box proving difficult for Villa to handle.
He has looked a class above the competition at that level for a while now which could be due to his experience playing senior football at the international level.
Scanlon has broken records with Gibraltar and the day to make history by becoming the first international from Gibraltar to play for Man Utd shouldn’t be a long way away at this rate.
James Scanlon’s clear path to first-team
Youth development is as much about luck and timing as it is about talent and potential.
Take Godwill Kukonki, for example, who was Amorim’s first project at United but isn’t even seen in the squad anymore, let alone given a debut.
That’s because Ayden Heaven broke through immediately after signing and then Patrick Dorgu’s signing completely locked down the left side.
In Scanlon’s case, he has a clear path to the first team because the position he plays is up for grabs with no outstanding candidate in the senior team.
Bruno Fernandes is shining in a deeper role while Mason Mount is a bonus squad member until he proves otherwise.
Joshua Zirkzee has changed positions to play deeper but Amorim would ideally like two striker options, while Alejandro Garnacho and Scanlon are completely different type of players.
What Scanlon can offer in that No. 10 spot isn’t replicated by any first-team player right now and his performances for the U18s certainly aren’t weakening his case. It’s time to promote him.