Manchester United’s famed academy has always played host to some of the brightest talents to have graced the Premier League. Though the U-23s were relegated to the second division this season, United still have an amazing crop of starlets making the difficult way up to the first team.
Despite the fact that the first team has an exceptional brand of talent, there is always an opportunity around the corner for academy players to make a name for themselves. Jose Mourinho has given chances, and significantly, improved Jesse Lingard, who has undergone a transformation, is his playing style after regularly starting matches last season.
Lingard was a starter for the England national team in the recently concluded World Cup, and that is a clear testament to how the player has improved rapidly under Mourinho. Similarly, Scott McTominay emerged as a good midfield option last season, as the manager trusted him in big matches against the likes of Seville in the Champions League, and Chelsea and Liverpool in the Premier League too.
Hence, there are reasons to believe that certain lads from the academy could make the move up this season. Let us have a look at them:
Demetri Mitchell
As we enter the final few days of the transfer window, it appears as if Luke Shaw and Ashley Young would be the two options competing for the left-back spot.
However, if a crisis emerges midway through the season, Mourinho can always bank of Demetri Mitchell, who was also a part of United’s squad for the preseason. Mitchell possesses blistering pace and could provide an excellent offensive threat from the left flank.
He was used as a fullback against Liverpool in the preseason friendly, and Mitchell conceded a penalty owing to his erratic foul inside the box.
However, Mourinho’s immediate instruction followed and within a matter of minutes, Mitchell burst into the opposition half and earned a free kick in a promising position. His tenacity and the discipline to follow orders and work on them might convince Mourinho to hand him a chance or two this season.
