08 Sep 2015 16:20:17
Does anybody else worry about our youth system?? Since LVG has taken over very little looks like it's going to break through. I know we see the names on the sheets but none really playing. I thought with the goalkeeping issue Johnstone might get a look in but then we bought a keeper and that's out the window for this season. Januzaj looks to be on his way out who was our main product of recent yrs. Pereira and Lingard don't appear to be getting much of a look in. Then there's the Welbeck, Cleverly, Evans and tons more that have been sold on. Bearing in mind Fergie(I know don't compare) rarely sold on homegrown and had most of them playing well. I personally had really hoped to see more come through at this stage. Blackett and McNair are the new hopes I guess.

1.) 08 Sep 2015
08 Sep 2015 17:19:07
I would be annoyed if Adnan was moved on permanently without being given more of a chance. there's no option to buy as I understand it so I won't worry too much yet.

The others I have very little problem with. Clev, Welbeck and Evans may well be better placed at mid table sides, although I'm glad of their service. Lingard has never broke thru under 3 different managers and I think will settle at a lower level, possibly the same with Blackett.

I think Pereira and Mcnair deserve a chance whether that be thru loans or the occasional first team cameo, I'm hoping to see that over the next season or 2 so let's see what happens.

I can't say I'm either disappointed or overjoyed at Lvg's approach to the youth until this point but I will give him praise for at least giving a number of our youngsters their first taste of first team football during his first season and a bit. Still more to come though hopefully.

2.) 08 Sep 2015
08 Sep 2015 17:36:40
From one Ken to another. I think the academy's doing ok, especially compared with other clubs. Like anything, it could be better but we live in an era of instant gratification and so youth players won't get the time to develop like they might have had in the past.

The players you spoke of, Evans, Welbeck and Cleverley, all had their chance and neither of them really took it so you can't blame the club for selling them. You've got a point with Johnstone, I think he's been unfairly treated. He shoud've had his chance with the whole De Gea saga, not bloody Romero!!

We've got a good bunch coming through (Lingard, Pereira, Blackett, McNair, Januzaj etc.), hopefully they'll establish themselves as first team regulars over the next couple of years.

For now though, I think we're ok. I know LvG is always pushing the BPL and the club to improve coaching standards for younger players and bring English youth teams up to the same standard as the coaching staff on the continent - so the youth hasn't been completely neglected.

Did I read somewhere that over the last 10 or so seasons we've brought through more academy graduates than any other PL team?

3.) 08 Sep 2015
08 Sep 2015 20:51:38
When Lou took over Ed Woody did an interview on how he expects the club to move forward and how he expects Lou to carry the job.

He outlined that when Lou took over the main emphasis was the improvement of the first team and securing champions league and ensuring the right plans were in place to maintain a healthy first team.

There are obviously some signings to be made to the first team in order for it to be world class again, but I do feel the necessary steps have been put in place to re-structure the youth set up which is why the club kept Lou in the job this summer when they had the option to replace him.

4.) 08 Sep 2015
08 Sep 2015 21:10:41
Fergie sold plenty over the years.

The academy needs an overhaul and who better than a guy whos coached at three clubs all renowned for their youth set ups.

Id take a couple of barren years if in return we get another period of domination inspired by the academy.

Some of us waited 26 years for a league title and some are going crazy after 2 years?

5.) 08 Sep 2015
08 Sep 2015 21:23:11
Thats what happens nowadays Mort. If a few years are waited for the next youth, who knows how far the likes of City and Chelsea would be ahead. The more they win the more money they would make to pluck these youngsters and also buy world class players for higher prices.
Football is a business and sponsors would leave utd if they ended up falling back, they wouldn't be as attractable as they once were.

6.) 08 Sep 2015
08 Sep 2015 23:08:11
Football goes in cycles.

7.) 09 Sep 2015
08 Sep 2015 23:40:05
Bloody Romero and his bloody clean sheet, Who does he think he is.

8.) 09 Sep 2015
09 Sep 2015 16:38:11
Jackutd, you can't seriously say that Romero is worthy of being (stand-in) Number 1 for United, can you?

Fair enough he got a few clean sheets but he had 5 saves to make during those 3 games and 4 of those were against Spurs! So it wasn't like he'd been tested.

I think everybody could see that error for Swansea's 2nd goal coming, too. De Gea (and other GKs) wouldn't have let either of those goals in that day.