Erik ten Hag targeting for one Manchester United academy promotion to the senior teamThe goal that Erik ten Hag has set for the Manchester United academy is to have one player secure a spot on the first-team squad on a permanent basis.
Ten Hag was responsible for the development of Alejandro Garnacho from United’s junior sides to the senior team during the previous season. In addition, Ten Hag was responsible for giving debuts to fellow 2022 FA Youth Cup winners Charlie McNeill and Kobbie Mainoo.
McNeill did not go with the team and spent the second part of the previous season on loan at Newport County in League Two. Mainoo, who is only 18, performed exceptionally well as a starter in the defeat of Leeds in a friendly match held in Oslo on Wednesday.
Over the course of the past decade, several alumni of the United academy have been promoted to the club’s first squad, where they have met with varied degrees of success.
During David Moyes’ 10-month spell as manager, Adnan Januzaj was one of the few bright spots, while Jesse Lingard and Marcus Rashford had their breakouts during Louis van Gaal’s time in charge.
Mason Greenwood and Brandon Williams did well in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s first full season in charge, while Scott McTominay was an improbable success story when Jose Mourinho was the manager. Ralf Rangnick was instrumental in Anthony Elanga’s rise to stardom.
Ten Hag responded to a question from MUTV about Manchester United’s young players by saying, “This is their moment.” Therefore, it is necessary for us to strengthen the team’s roster. This can be accomplished by acquiring new players or by promoting younger players from inside the organization’s many academies.
“Manchester United is well-known for fostering the development of young players to the point where they can compete at the highest level. The year before, Garnacho was successful. Therefore, it is imperative that we bring in at least one player who is capable of challenging for a starting berth within our group.
In the second half of United’s victory over Leeds, Noam Emeran and Joe Hugill both scored goals for the team. 43 players who came up via United’s youth system have made their professional debuts for the club in the past decade.
Erik ten Hag targeting for one Manchester United academy promotion to the senior team