One of the things I’ve always maintained about United’s recruitment is that they don’t scout well and move for young talents across the world. They always seem to miss out on these wonderkids and invariably go in for them when they’re 24/25 and they need to splash insane amounts of money to acquire them. There’s so much that needs fixing but this, over the last four transfer windows has been a development.
I decided to write this article in an attempt to take you through some of these players we’ve signed, their profiles, their ceilings and why this is so important.
Marc Jurado- Born in Sabadell just outside Barcelona, Jurado joined La Masia aged 7. In his second season with the Blaugrana, the youngster stole the ball from the halfway line and evaded a legion of defenders and scored 5 seconds into the match.
Jurado is very much a modern-day full-back, getting up and down the pitch with speed and skill and also earning a reputation for his goalscoring ability, netting six in a season for FCB Cadete B.Defensively, he has good awareness and positional sense, while his pace is a vital asset at both ends of the pitch.Technically, he is strong and has all the qualities you would expect from a young La Masia graduate, with the ability to beat players, good passing and link-up play. Now 16 years old, the young right-back has rejected Barca’s three-year contract offer and is all set to compete for a starting right-back role at Old Trafford.
Rating- 7/10
Alvaro Fernandez- This one’s from La Fabrica, Real Madrid’s esteemed academy. An adventurous left-back who looks to get forward and support attacks whenever possible. Using his speed, he enjoys making dangerous runs down the wing – linking up well with those ahead of him. But he is equally capable of coming in-field to strengthen numbers in central midfield, as players fluidly move around and rotate. While Carreras is naturally a very attacking full-back, he also is capable of mixing it physically. Not only is he capable in the air – standing over six foot tall – he’s combative in one-on-one situations, and isn’t afraid to muscle his opponents off the ball.
His reading of the game is impressive, too, and these are all qualities that are likely to improve as he gets more match experience under his belt.
Rating- 7/10
Dillon Hoogewerf- Ajax youth expert Bram van der Ploeg lauded Hoogewerf when he was called into the UEFA Youth League squad midway through the season, in November.
“Hoogewerf is a very versatile player and perfected two-footed,” he said.
“He is a bit smaller, but is physically very strong. He really is a dribbler. In the Under-17s he is put on the flanks but in Erik Ten Haag’s (Ajax first team coach) system he could play in any of the three positions behind the striker.
“Hoogewerf is a modern player who is developing very quickly. He’s recently had a suspension for a red card so he must remain calm in the head.
“From the Under-16s he is one of the players with the most potential.”
A False Nine, technically sound and immensely gifted.
Rating- 7.5/10
Isak Hansen-Aaroen: He had previously had trials with both Everton and Liverpool but it is United who have managed to secure the signing of the teenager who has been described as a wonderkid after his recent performances. Two footed, good eye for goal, excellent close control.
Rating- 7/10
Charlie McNeil- The one that got away. Having left United’s academy aged 11 and joined cross-city rivals Manchester City, life-long Red Devil McNeil went on to score 600 GOALS for City in 5 years. YES, 600. Incredible finisher, two footed, can play off the flank. Imagine a Mason Greenwood clone if you will. MAD EXCITED for this one.
Rating- 9/10
Now comes Fillip Stefanovic from Belgrade, an opponent United played in the Europa group stages. He has been loaned back and he arrives next year. Another left sided attacker who reminds me of a very, very young Eden Hazard of Lille, except he’s quicker and not as two-footed.
Rating- 6.5/10
Facundo Pellistri- In what has been music to the ears of interested parties, the winger has a buyout clause of just $12m, a bargain for such a talented player.
With the impact of coronavirus on the transfer market, clubs have been looking to secure cut-price deals like this to improve their playing squads without forking out astronomical fees. United seem to be the ones who’ve made the move.
The wide-man is known for being absolutely rapid and a real handful on the ball.
Despite having only made 37senior appearances for the Manyas, Pellistri has already impressed many with his attacking ability down the right flank.
He has already been handed the number ten shirt, despite his age – a signal of what his club think of him.
Yes he comes into a very negative atmosphere having to fill the void of Jadon Sancho’s expectations. But he could prove many experts wrong. The player I’d iken him with would probably be Juan Mata at Real Madrid Castilla.
Rating- 7.5/10
Amad Diallo-
The signing of the summer for me. This is the kind of player who Borussia Dortmund would buy for $20M and sell for five times that money. Aged 18, Amad Diallo Traore made his Atlanta first team debut last season and became Serie A’s youngest ever goalscorer. Good on either flank but based predominantly on the right, this lad’s biggest strength is running at defences and freeing up space for others, not to forget his prowess at getting out of 2v1s. Good crosser, good carrier and his shooting will only get better. Under the right guidance and coaching, united have on their hands a proper superstar.
Rating- 9/10
Adding to the Levitts, the Garners, the Mejbris, the Mengis and all the other youth team players on the brink of breaking into the first team, United look well set for the coming years. Revamping the academy has been a massive accomplishment for Ole and it was also among the first things Sir Alex did when he came in.
Into Added Time 