After arguably the worst season in the club’s history behind the year they were relegated, it is very clear that Manchester United need a complete squad overhaul.
A large number of players need to leave, and quite a few need to be brought into the Manchester United squad all across the pitch. A new goalkeeper is needed, as are defenders, midfielders, and attackers.
But United have another problem: money. The club has faced financial difficulties for some time, a fact Sir Jim Ratcliffe has been transparent about. Following their failure to win the Europa League and qualify for next season’s Champions League, the budget is even tighter for this summer.
United still have money to spend, and with a large number of outgoings expected, this will add to what Ruben Amorim has to spend in the market. However, what if a large number of signings aren’t necessarily the best way to boost the squad?
United’s Academy is the strongest it’s ever been, and with difficulty always comes some kind of opportunity. Could they be the answer to United’s problems?
This is what United are built on
Carrington lies at the core of United’s heritage. Every great United side has been influenced by the academy, and it has been the academy that showed up for United when most needed, such as after the plane crash in 1958.
A lot of fans complain about players “not getting it” during difficult periods such as the season the club have just been through. So, to ask a question, who “gets it” better than those who have grown up in the club? They naturally understand the required culture better than others because it’s what they have been developed in.
United have produced such fantastic talents over the years, but even the less ‘glamorous’ names – such as Darren Fletcher and Scott McTominay – have turned out to be excellent players and important figures for United and have become fan favourites.
For the fans, too, it means something to see kids progress from the academy to the first team and become key players. It is a special feeling that few signings replicate. How amazing did it feel in last year’s FA Cup final when the goalscorers were Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo?
At a time when United need new figures and maybe can’t sign as many players, and the situation at the club has been dire, this is a real opportunity to give fans a reason to get behind this project.
The academy players are good enough and deserve a chance
Currently, United’s academy is arguably the strongest it has ever been since the Class of ’92. At all levels, there are fantastic talents, and several players appear ready to make a real impact at first-team level.
Talent from within has been developed excellently, and a number of signings have been made of top young academy talents, such as Chido Obi and Ayden Heaven, both of whom have now made first-team appearances – the latter in particular looking excellent.
The likes of Harry Amass and Tyler Fredricson have also played for and impressed in the first team recently.
United over the years have wasted a lot of money, oftentimes on squad players who the club have overpaid for. The most recent example is last summer’s £50 million signing of Manuel Ugarte. Is it not better to fill those spots with players from within?
If it doesn’t work, then it doesn’t work; they can be sold. Carrington is the academy with the most graduates actively playing across English football right now. Not everyone will make it at United, or necessarily stay for a prolonged period. United will not, however, ever get back the money for someone like Ugarte.
There are positions where United absolutely need to spend money on getting quality players; this is not in doubt. But for the other positions, why not look at the likes of Sekou Kone, Jack Moorhouse, Bendito Mantato, and Jim Thwaites?
Something needs to be done differently at United if they want a proper rebuild, and perhaps turning to the Academy to rebuild the squad is the way forward for Amorim, and using the available Academy talent will save him millions in the transfer market this summer.
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