MANCHESTER UNITED’S famed academy has produced a long list of club legends.
David Beckham and Marcus Rashford are among the players to have progressed through the ranks.
Tom McDermott has picked his top ten academy graduates from the Premier League era.
But have Paul Pogba, Mason Greenwood and Rashford made the cut?
Ryan Giggs
United’s most decorated player was outstanding as a winger, midfielder or forward, for over 24 years.
There weren’t many that could cope with Giggs when he was in full-flow.
Pace, trickery, good in the air and deceptively tough in the tackle, the Welshman wasn’t just the ‘new’ George Best, he was the first Ryan Giggs.
Paul Scholes
United’s greatest player actually started as a forward but settled in central midfield where he dictated games.
His range of passing and vision looked effortless and if you speak to many of the world’s best players during Scholes’ era, they’ll tell you just how good the boy from Oldham was.
Mentally, Scholes was three steps ahead of everyone else on the pitch – regardless of the opposition.
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David Beckham
Now one of the most famous people on the planet, it was Becks’ pinpoint accuracy with his right foot that helped catapult him to such heights.
He wasn’t just a one trick pony though because each week he was the hardest working player on the pitch.
Gary Neville
‘Red Nev’ has plenty to say as a pundit, but first and foremost he was a world class full back who maximised his skills.
Neville also worked on the attacking side to his game and forged an outstanding partnership down the right with Beckham.
Neville was a leader who understood and embraced the demands of playing for his boyhood club.
Phil Neville
Phil is probably a better ‘footballer’ than brother Gary which is why as his career advanced we saw him move into midfield.
He started as a full back and when he left United went on to have a good career with Everton where he captained the Merseysiders.
Nicky Butt
Butt was a clever and tenacious midfielder who also represented England.
In the 1995-96 season Butt played over 40 times for United and was an important part of the side that completed the league and cup double.
In 2004, Butt was sold to Newcastle United and made 130 appearances for the Magpies.
Marcus Rashford
Rashford has been described as the ‘hero of the pandemic’ because of his outstanding work with the Government in helping vulnerable children receive free school dinners.
He made his United debut in 2016 under Louis van Gaal and hasn’t looked back since.
He’s expected to carry the hopes of the nation on his shoulders this summer as England head into the rescheduled Euro 2020 tournament.
Wes Brown
Brown made his United debut in 1998 and made over 230 appearances for the club.
He could play at centre half but enjoyed his best spell as a right full back.
Brown played regularly for the club over a period of time that included great defenders such as Jaap Stam, Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic.
Darren Fletcher
The Scot started wide right but as his influence grew, moved inside to a more central position.
Fletcher was vastly underrated outside of Old Trafford, but was always one of the first names on the team-sheet during his peak years at the club.
He was a far better footballer than many gave him credit for, and had a desire and work rate that few in the game could match.
Mark Hughes
Hughes was in the United academy before the start of the Premier League era, but did play for United in the Premier League, so on that basis, he’s in.
He actually left United in 1986 for Barcelona and returned two years later via Bayern Munich.
Only Dimitar Berbatov had a first touch to match.
Hughes was brave and if you haven’t seen his collection of finishes, treat yourself to them on YouTube during lockdown.
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