Manchester United reserves 2005-06

Manchester United reserves 2005-06

A new season in the reserves brings with it a tidal wave of changes. A bunch of players have gone out on loan, many have been promoted from the u-18’s to the reserve squad and more so than ever, the reserves who were doing great things last term are very much ready to step up to the 1st squad.

This will be out last season with Ricky Sbragia in charge of the reserves before he goes off to become Bolton’s 1st team coach. He has done wonders for us and was the master-in-chief of last seasons utter domination of reserve football in England, not to mention our success in Europe! If you don’t know who Ricky is then keep an eye out for that name in the future. He may well make the leap into professional management in the championship or one day get the chance to show his stuff at an EPL club. He’s a brilliant tactician who loves attacking football and played the ‘the Man Utd 4-4-2’ to a tee. Make no bones about it, under this guy all our reserves, if asked to would function in the 1st team 4-4-2 with no problems at all – obviously their quality for the most part would be lacking, but the way they would go about their particular job in the system would be in the exact same manner as any of our starting xi. I felt this paragraph was necessary to pay tribute to the unheard guy who may have brought some of these guys to the 1st team door by encouraging them to express themselves and play the Manchester United way. There can be no doubt that players improve considerably under this guy. His work with Bellion, Pique and Martin in particular, really impressed me. Game by game you could see these players improving.

So, what’s different from this year to last?

Well, David Jones who has been par even the best player at reserve level for 2seasons straight is off on loan to Preston North End in the Championship. Along with Giuseppe Rossi his mark on the reserves and what he was to them cannot be mentioned enough. He was as instrumental to the reserves as Keane is to the 1st team. Captain, leader and an extraordinary talent who controlled the tempo of every game he played in. He is a massive out for the reserves and understandably you cannot just replace him with a player of the same quality so we have had to adapt a little and do not play through the centre of the pitch half as much this term as we did last year. Jones’ contribution was not just about being a leader, he was the key playmaker as well his precise passing and intuitive mazy dribbles led to countless goal for the strike force and he bagged several for himself as well as becoming a superb decoy that allowed the left winger (Lee Martin) and his central midfield partner (N’galula nominally) more space in which to play. In his absence we have had to adapt and more responsibility has been passed on to other impressive talents at reserve level, namely Martin, Rossi, Blake and Bardsley. We are finding our feet with our new set-up now and are starting to climb the table. *At the time of writing we sit 5th in the table 7pts behind M’boro with 2games in hand*

Other noticeable absentees that have brought about changes to the reserve xi are Paul McShane who is currently on loan at Brighton Hove Albion in the lower leagues. His partnership with Gerard Pique last season was the best in the league and now that he is gone we are using a kid called Jonathan Evans at CB. Of course it will take them a little time to settle down together and form a new CB pairing so the odd error and goals conceded at the start of the season through until maybe November or so should be expected.

After that, the other players that have gone on loan such as Eagles and Bellion have not left huge dents in the reserve team because their affect on the teams’ form or success last term was not that important and both have been replaced by players of similar or superior quality.

Player Profiles

Goalkeepers

Tim Howard

I’m sure his progress/status is quite important to the Americans on the board. He is most definitely the starting keeper at reserve level and combining his time between getting games and training with Van der Sar in the 1st team can do him no harm. He simply has to learn to stop flapping at crosses and to read the play if he ever wants to make it here as United’s #1 keeper once VDS hangs up his boots. He has 2seasons in which to learn and I hope he makes the best of those. Without a doubt he will get games with the 1st team in the Carling Cup but after that he would be expected to spend most of his season with the reserves. At this level he will certainly be tested on crosses and he will have ample opportunity to learn how to handle crosses and command his area. So far there is nothing precise to report about Howard. He hasn’t been bad but he hasn’t been called upon to do anything huge in any games for us. In my mid season update I’ll have more to report about Timmy and his progress.

Kieran Lee
Age: 19
Nationality: English
Height: est 5’10 [positions played: GK

Will get a number of games when Howard is out on NT team duty or the 1st squad have a game on the Saturday and the reserves play on the Thursday or Friday. I don’t know much about Lee as he was rarely shown in games last term. He’s another one to study and give a report on mid-season.

Ron-Robert Zieler
Age: 17
Nationality: German
Height: est 5’11 [positions played: GK

A brilliant young (He’s only 17) German keeper whose progress at the u-17 level has seen him teetering on the edge of getting a game at reserve level. Indeed, he has been on our bench a few times already and that is very impressive for a GK in particular. Very agile and has great reflexes. You wont hear of this guy as a 1st xi prospect for a long, long time – probably a good 8yrs even. Keepers don’t get their chances young so he’ll most inevitably be sent out on loans and such before we see whether he’ll make it here or not. If he proves himself to be exceptional then the whole process could accelerate by 3or4 years.

Defenders

Gerard Pique
Age: 18
Nationality: Spanish
Height: 6’4 [positions played: CB(n) & LB

What I wrote last season:


Acronym likes to call him the young Rio and he does have some similarities with the apparent traitor. Let's hope his loyalty stakes aren't the same as well

Pique is tall and has a huge stride. Once his giraffe like legs pick up momentum he is surprisingly quick. He's not sharp over the first 5metres though. He's a very stand offish kind of CB who reads the game well. In this respect he is totally like Rio. He is better in the air but not so good on body charging as Rio if we are to make direct comparisons. Pique needs to learn how to dominate his area of the pitch. He's very La Liga in his play i.e he will get the ball and be elegant whilst not looking like he can handle the grit of the EPL... Of what I've seen he'd be the type who contains a Thierry Henry and then Concedes against a Drogba or Drunken Ferguson. It's something he has to iron out of his game and be a bit more menacing.

He's the type who will look great in a CL tie but then struggle at a game against West Brom or Blackburn. I'm sure you know what I mean. He is a definite starter for someone somewhere when it's his time to step up. Like Rossi, barring injury, there can be no doubt this guy will make it as a top level pro. I'm sure if we put him on the market as a mature pro a host of La Liga clubs would be in for him in a heartbeat and he would fetch a lot of money.

I may sound sceptical. I'm not. He is the real deal and if the coaches can mould him and make him more gritty he has the potential to be an absolute star. I just see his weaknesses very clearly.. He's a guy that most likely will mark out the stars of his generation and then blow it against players who are not very good, just because they are extremely physical.

What has changed?

He is stronger, faster and a lot more confident this term. His natural development is pushing him forward and he is developing into a more all-round CB then he was. He can still dribble, pass and carry the ball forward but now he is more likely to get his foot in on tackles and be more aggressive in regards to containing his CB. He is conceding more fouls because of this but it is a good thing not a bad one as last term at times he looked hideously exposed against strikers who were aggressive and as big as he is. Citeh’s Ishmael Miller immediately comes to mind as one of those who did a number on both Pique and McShane last term. This time around I believe Pique will hold his own a lot more and he will learn to time those newfound aggressive and pro-active tackles of his. He’s nowhere near ready for the 1st team, he still has a lot to learn, but the end of this term when I do a full season review this may no longer be the case. Pique fills me with hope and I really believe he is going to become a premier CB.

Phil Bardsley
Age: 20
Nationality: English
Height: est 5’11 [positions played: RB(n) & CB


What I wrote last season:

Phil Bardsley CB. He was so close to the 1st squad that he went on the tour of America then he got a bad back injury and was out for ages. He's only been back in the reserves for 6 games. He looks very solid and dependable and if he carries his ability from last year into the next season he may well see some time with the squad on tour with Asia and in the Carling Cup. He struggles against very strong forwards which could be a problem. Last night Citeh's Ishmael Miller scored on him by barging straight through him, which was a worry...


What has changed

Well, as you will have all seen him now with your own eyes you will know just how close he was to the 1st squad last season before injury. The major change in Bardsley from last term to this one is that he has built up his upper body quite tremendously. Consider how Ronaldo’s physique changed over the Summer and you have an idea of what Bardsley has been through. My concern with him last year was not his ability but his strength or lack of it. He got out-wrestled a few times last year and it will be very interesting to see if his newfound muscles will improve him in this department. He is sharing his time with Lee Martin for the captains armband so far and when Gary Neville is back I think he will be the full-time captain of the reserves. I’ve been happy with his progress thus far at 1st xi level, but believe me, there is more to come from him then he has shown thus far.

Richard Eckersley
Age: 20
Nationality: English
Height: est 5’9 [positions played: LB(n) RB

He has now got the position all to himself and he is doing well there. A no thrills LB who prefers to defend rather then attack playing behind Lee Martin means that he doesn’t often have much work to do as Martin takes a double team to stop. He is definitely one of the unsung players at reserve level and I don’t think that is going to change much when he has one of the stars of the reserves in front of him. I’ll keep an eye on him, but I don’t think I’ll have much to report as the season goes by. He’s another one who wont be mentioned in regards to the 1st team for another 3or4 years.

Jonathon Evans
Age: 17
Nationality: Irish
Height: est 5’9 [positions played: CB

He’s only 17 and has been promoted from the u-18 where obviously he was exceptional. He’s not a player I know much about and he doesn’t get much exposure beings as he is in a no thrills position. Will have to comment on him later in the season to see how he has coped with his first season at reserve level. He has looked good so far..but that is hardly enough of a review so I’ll give him his due mid-season.

special mention

Danny Simpson
Age: 17
Nationality: English
Height: est 5’9 [positions played: RB, RW,

A prodigious talent who has been moved up from the u-18 at times to fill in for Bardsley. Superb pace and stamina and very much like a defensive version of Ashley Cole. He tracks his man relentlessly and is excellent at ushering players into touch. He’s one of the ‘next of the next stars’ and another one who is going to jump up the ranks well before his age would dictate that he should. He has the build of the average kid of his age and so obviously until he bulks up he’s not going to be a consideration for any level above the reserves. I will say this though, he is good enough to merit a special mention and that should tell you enough about his talent.


Midfielders

Floribert N’galula-Mbuyi
Age: 19
Nationality: Belgian
Height: est 6’3 [positions played: DM(n) CM, CB, RB, LB

What I wrote last season:

Floribert N'galula: Nominally a DM who can play CB and FB. Very tall and very strong. He towers over his team-mates except Pique and he was very important earlier in the season before injury. Physically he is ready for the squad but he has a lot to learn in footballing terms and for this reason he'll be with the youth team for some time yet. His distribution is not EPL ready yet nor is his decision making. I like how he is in the tackle and in the air and also he has a superb engine but you need a lot more then that to get on at OT (someone tell our bench that..)

I don't know if he'll make it at OT right now because the jump from the reserves to the big boys is a big one and he won't be an imposing or intimidating figure in the EPL so he'll have to rely on more then what he has in the locker right now. His distribution isn't poor per se. It just looks to me like he is a Fletcher in that he needs time to pick his passes which obviously is very dangerous for a DM. He needs to make his moves quickly and accurately before we'll see him anywhere near the 1st squad.

What has changed

Nothing.  he has been injured for quite some time. It’s a shame when injury hinders the essential development stages of a young player. He’s just getting back now and I hope to have something to report on him by mid-season.

David Fox
Age: 21
Nationality: English
Height: est 5’9 [positions played: CM

The 2nd oldest player in the reserves if we exc. Howard. This is a vital season for Fox. There can be no doubt about his ability he can ping the ball about and flow well in passing chains but he doesn’t look exceptional. Getting into the United reserves 1st xi is the hardest job in the country at that level but taking that to the next level where we look to see where these players will eventually end up I wouldn’t hold high hopes for Fox at United. He has been out injured for quite some time so this is him returning and just finding his feet. It does him no favours that he is next to a young kid in Gibson his current central midfield partner and he may well be looking out for the rookie and not concentrating on his own game 100% I don’t know. The gap left by David Jones is obviously recognisable and maybe it is a little harsh of me to compare him to that standard but, if that is what he is up against to make it at United I would say he falls well short. Right now I’d say he’ll end up a championship player for his career but who knows? At that age a player has a lot of growth left to exp and he may well improve considerably between now and the end of the season. He has nothing spectacular to him for me to report. He’s one of those players who is decent at everything but not good at anything. I’d like to see him develop a niche, that is what separates you from the crowd at united, especially as a kid and if he had one (niche) he’d have more chance of getting somewhere with us imo. Right now he’s just your run of the mill player however. I hope to report improvement over the season as he finds his form after injury and gets used to playing. He is in danger of losing his position however. Once N’galula is back I can’t see Fox being in the team. As the guy he is paired with looks the better talent..

Darron Gibson
Age: 17
Nationality: Northern Irish
Height: est 5’10 [positions played: CM

Another youngster promoted from the u-18’s and he looks like he has something about him. I can definitely see why he was promoted as he hustles well is very strong in the tackle and works extremely hard until the final whistle. He has oodles of stamina and a superb shot on his right foot. Indeed, the type who you will see score maybe 3goals a season but all 3 would be rockets that would contend for goal of the season. What I like about him is that he is very raw yet you can see the potential he has. Ricky hasn’t even gotten his hands on him for two months and already there is an improvement in his game. Those kids who come through to the reserves at the ages of 16 and 17 are always exceptional talents who if coached correctly and continue to progress could well be stars before 24. Rossi, Blake, Campbell, Pique, Martin and now Gibson is another who has popped into the reserves before the age of 18! he is one to look out for imo and a N’galula – Gibson partnership is what I think we will see this term if both stay fit. This kid has no refined art to his game. You don’t look at him and see silky skills or precise, rapier like passing but what you do see is a messy canvas of bright colours – the brighter the colour the more talent – and if the staff can turn this kids colours into a painting he is a real talent of the next, next wave after Jones, Pique, Blake and Rossi come through. Gibson and Campbell would be my tips to make it at United in around 4-5yrs time. Look out for this kid.

Liam Miller
Age: 24!!!!
Nationality: Irish
Height st 5’7 [position played: CM

What I wrote last season:

Liam Miller If this guy makes it at OT it will be one of those miracle success stories. He looks out of his depth even in the youth team. It doesn't help that David Jones playing alongside him, is looking like a superb talent either - it just makes Miller look even worse. He doesn't seem to be 'about' anything. He has no outstanding attribute and worst still he is not particularly well rounded enough to be 'good' or 'decent' at everything. If we are really paying him 40k a week it is one of the worst decisions ever made at the club (in hindsight obviously) he's not a 10k a week player if I'm honest he looks like a schoolboy player at best. He's absolutely miles away from a place on the bench for the 1st team.

I don't mean to be harsh on a Untied player, but this kid just doesn't look like he will make it in the EPL let alone at United. He may have some kind of epiphany and prove me wrong but as it stands he is poor. :

What has changed

Nothing. I am sure many are amazed that he is 24 yrs old. I myself did not know this and now that I do he has gone further down in my estimation. I always thought he was some 18 or 19yr old kid who was homesick and desperately trying to find his feet here at United…but knowing he is 24yrs old I wonder if it is only because he is from Cork and was recommended by Keano that he is still here. It has gotten so bad with him that I’ve seen numerous United fans on this and other boards making jokes about Miller. Every time I see his name on our 22 when we play in the CL or whatever I think ‘what a waste of a slot’ you should never think that way about anyone at your club.. Miller is probably in his make or break season here. He’s been.. poor…for some time now and no matter his connections or background, people all around him are waiting for their shot.

Lee Martin
Age: 18
Nationality: English
Height est 6’0 [position played: LW(n) & RW

What I wrote last season:

Lee Martin: At left wing. Very fast and tricky as you would expect. I like his forcefulness on that wing. He always aims to test the fullback he faces and put his cross in. He's the kind of player the youth team is made for. He can be a bit headless chicken at times and comes off raw (he's only been in the youth team since Christmas). The talent is definitely there and it is up to the youth coaches and himself to develop it into something tangible enough for him to make it as a pro at United. He's average height but very frail (most of our youth are small and/or waif like. If you compare them to Citeh's reserves for example they look like dwarves) and cunning but lacks stamina right now. When he's tired his game gets a little erratic but he always offers himself as an outlet on the left.

What I like about him is that he is a natural, left-footed winger. His objective is always to try and get to the byline and stretch the opposition backline. He gives his central midfielders a lot of room to operate in and just by his positioning he becomes a problem on his side of the pitch. He's nowhere near 1st team action and has quite a few areas of his game to develop. He looks very good to me, but not the kind of 'very good' where you will see him in the 1st team anytime soon. Very hard to say if he'll ever get the chance at United. Either way, we wont know how his story turns out for at least 2or3 years.

What has changed

Lee is the most improved player in the reserves by a huge distance. He is now the talk of the team (Rossi and Blake are seen as certs now and people almost take what they are for granted) and his progress has been astounding. He has grown about 2 or 3inches from last team to this one and his stamina and strength have both improved. I have to say that I didn’t expect as much of an improvement from him as this – he has exceeded my expectations and is now not so ethereal in his play.. what I mean by that is now he looks like a serious threat when he actually gets to where he is going whether that is the by-line or cutting infield he now looks like an assist or a goal will come about. This can be confirmed by the amount of times he is double teamed in games now. What I would like to see him improve is his shooting and his crosses need to be more accurate. There can be no doubt both are improving at a phenomenal rate and if he carries on with this by the end of season he could be pushing for a first team squad position – his rate of improvement has to be seen to believed! And his confidence has grown also. He is joint-captain on merit and if you see him in interviews you would tip him for success – very confident in his own abilities and extremely laid back…this is a guy who believes in himself without being a dick. He will feature for our 1st team in at least the carling cup and if we qualify early, the CL latter group stages. He will always be a bother for his FB because he will always work them inside and out and he will play the same way against anybody. I would love to see him go up against Gabby and Gary in training – I bet he could do both…whether he’d have any legs left to put a cross in after theygot back at the insolent young pup, is another matter!

Marcus Neumayr
Age: 18
Nationality: German
Height est 5’8 [position played: RW(n) & LW

A young German talent with a wicked right foot and a very good reading of the game. I like the way this kid plays the game, he isn’t the most talented, he isn’t the fastest but behind Rossi I’d say he is the most intelligent player now left in the reserves. He looks to me like someone who will make it in the EPL. I don’t know for which team, but certainly a player I can see in the league 5yrs from now. Unlike some of the others who sadly will not make it as footballers (The success rate of reserves to pros is not very high) Neumayr is a very tidy player. Nice technique, knows what he wants to do in advance of getting the ball and will try whatever comes to mind on impulse. He would be one to watch imo. Very hard to tell if he will make it at United. Like I said before you need a niche to make it here and although he is smart he will need to improve his passing to fully exploit what he sees 2seconds ahead of most players. He also needs to build a lot more stamina before he gets anywhere near our 1st squad. I have high hopes for this kid and will follow his career whether he makes it here or not.

 

continued..

Attackers

Giuseppe Rossi
Age: 18
Nationality: American born but intends to play for Italy
Height est 5’7 [position played: Support Striker, OM

What I wrote last season:

Guiseppe Rossi: This kid is already famous, so many are waiting for his 1st team debut and rightly so. He's the star of the team and his technique stands out a mile and not just for the reserves. In terms of technique he's ahead of a lot of the 1st team bench and is making serious in-roads on quite a few who have been in our first team for a long time. He has superb close control and an excellent stride pattern(he keeps rhythm with the ball effortlessly) his passing and vision also stand out ( he and Blake were forming an excellent partnership until Blake was seriously injured) He sets up Bellion in every game with at least 3chances.. if he does anything like that in the first team Ruud will be a very happy man. Great on either foot with a large range of ground passes. He has a lot of intelligence, knows when to shoot or pass and he also knows where to place his shots. Very dangerous from a stand-still also due to his low centre of gravity and rapid acceleration.

Often when you see players in the reserves who are ready for the step up they are held back because they haven't physically developed. This is the case for Rossi now. There isn't much else he can show or do for the reserves. He has quality stamped across his forehead and his next test has to be against men in the EPL or cup competitions and also to see if he is able to cope with capacity stadiums and the pressures the 1st team are under.

In terms of foot-balling education he's graduated with first class honours. I have no doubt if he was built like Rooney or Ronaldo he'd have gotten chances by now. His problem is that he is small and frail. He is being held back because of this and rightly so. If he is unleashed too early he could end up getting a serious injury. He needs to bulk up and age a little physically. I don't think he'll get his chance this season. There is no rush with this one imo he's one you can look at and think not only will he step up to the 1st squad, he has the potential to be a star to. His problem is going to be Wayne Rooney however. They play the same position(s) and Wayne isn't much older. It'd be a joy to see them in the same team someday but I can't see that happening. Rossi may well be Rooney's understudy some time soon, but until he physically develops or the staff are sure he wont get any bigger I don't think we'll see much of anything of him in the 1st squad. Imo you don't rush a talent like this one and have him injured when it could have been avoided. He's going to have to bide his time and pray he grows over the Summer. :

What has changed

He’s even better. I’m tempted to leave it at that… well.. hmm…what to say about Rossi… err.. ok,

- he is beyond this level now
- he hasn’t grown an inch. It pretty much looks like he’s stopped growing and so we have a pocket rocket on our hands.
- He scores and assists in almost every game he plays at this level
- He will stagnate if he stays in the reserves much longer
- He needs to be on our 1st team bench
- He needs to be getting 10 -20minutes at the end of league matches and such now
- At reserve level there is no better player than him in England.
- He looks bored at reserve level. He is dominating play and games at a canter
- The praise could go on all day so I’ll stop now.
I don’t know what else to say about him. *shrugs


Sylvan Ebanks-Blake
Age: 19
Nationality: English
Height est 5’9 position played: Striker

What I wrote last season:

Sylvan Blake: Along with Jones and Rossi he was the player of the season for the reserves until suffering a broken leg. Superb speed and acceleration (he's as fast as Bellion) with a sharp mind. He reminds me of Andy Cole with his movement and sharpness, his finishing or conversation rate is superior I would say but he is more selfish, which is not a particularly bad thing for a striker. He's short and squat, very powerfully built, unlike Rossi, his grounds for being held back wont be physical restriction. He has a cannon of a shot on his right foot and is comfortable finishing on his left, not fantastic in the air but, that will improve with time. He's very good on one-two's, he and Rossi really did form a great partnership before the leg break. He has quite a bit to learn about the game before he's given a shot in the 1st squad I think. His decision making and awareness will improve as he matures also.

He doesn't strike me as a player who is ready for 68,000 screaming fans on his back in 1st team games yet. He'll develop all round with time I'm sure but right now he is some way off being the finished article which, at his age, you would expect (The Rooney's and Ronaldo's of this world are very rare). As he is a striker I think it is going to be absolutely essential he reaches his limit in the reserves before being given his chance. If he makes it, he'll have the hopes of lots of people on his shoulders it's in our best interests to have the finished article if this kid is every going to compete with the latest £20m signing who is at the club by the time he is ready. It'll probably be a year or two before we hear his name on squad sheets.

What has changed

You would never know this guy was out for 6months with a broken leg! He seems like the exact same player that he was. I see no difference in his speed or his game which is quite amazing in itself. What adds further bemusement is that he is scoring at the same rate as before and he and Rossi are playing as if they were never apart. For the kind of striker Blake is he could do with another season in the reserves to hone his game. He racks up goals at a superb rate but as a striker he needs to be the most complete he can be before moving on. That means more types of shots, more types of finishing, more sneaky runs.. more, more, more. So another season in the reserves is better for him than it is for Rossi who is as complete as possible at that level. Blake has to be admired for coming back the same player he left the team as and what’s more he is working hard on improving his game. Nothing has changed in regard to what I said about him last season he still needs a year or two before he gets his start as a #9 at Manchester United he has the talent to make it here and he’s another name to look out for in the next few years.

Kenny Cooper
Age: 20
Nationality: American
Height est 6’2 [position played: Striker

He looks huge amongst our tiny set of strikers and he has genuine power to his game. He’s very erratic and that is his biggest problem. One minute he could score a goal of the season and then the next he will balloon umpteen shots into row Z or the corner flag. He’s powerful and determined in the air and will go up against any CB in a battle of force. He needs to refine himself and play with his head up a little more. He lacks pace so he needs those first few steps to be in his head. I don’t think he’ll make it here when you look at what he’s up against even at reserve level he is fourth choice let alone at 1st squad level when the genuine world’s best surround you. You can’t knock this kid for trying though and I’m curious to see where he does eventually end up or how he changes for the better in the upcoming years.

Frazier Campbell

Age: 17
Nationality: English
Height est 5’9 [position played: Striker

Another of the ‘next of the next stars’ along with Darron Gibson. Campbell is the star of the u-18’s side and is itching to make the grade at reserve level. Unfortunately for him, Rossi and Blake block his chance and unless either get injured he’ll only see time fleetingly. Frazier Campbell is an English CF in every manner of the word. He’s a skinny little guy but he has the heart and determination of a lion to score his goal. He’s that kind of striker who will run into goalposts or crossbars to get on the end of a cross that is in his vicinity. The type that will go up against a Roy Keane knowing he doesn’t stand a chance and still try. The way he plays is extremely aggressive. He’s wildly raw in his talent. He tackles, he tracks back and he is absolutely desperate to score goals. Fortunately for him he is also extremely talented to go with it. He is incredibly imaginative in what he will try when a situation looks lost…it’s like a polar opposite of a player like Rossi who always looks composed and considered – Campbell at times looks like he doesn’t know what he’s doing but there is always a method to his madness. He’s United through and through and that is probably why he tries overly hard…I dunno what it is but his drive is incredible.. like a Rooney or Smith he will be a fan favourite for his style of play…heaven help CB’s if this kid is destined to be physically built. Right now he is a slip of a boy so it all looks ‘cute’ but give him a few kilo’s of muscle and growth through age and he will be a nightmare to play against. He is extremely fast, I’m not sure yet but he looks on par with Blake even and he has excellent stamina. You have to bear in mind he is only 17 and wont be anywhere near the 1st team for another 4yrs or so but if he continues at the rate he is progressing he will be a star of the premiership in the next 8yrs. It’s hard to paint a picture of this kid and not make him sound like Wolverine or something. He is aggressive yes, and he tries overly hard like Smith and Rooney but one massive advantage he has over either is that he is a controlled aggressive. He doesn’t often get booked, he doesn’t argue with referees and he knows when to calm himself down. He’s a player I like to watch. Right now he is no spoilt multi millionaire… I hope he doesn’t turn into a prima-donna once he is raking in the cash and is a star.

special mention

Fabian Brandy
Age: 16
Nationality: English
Height: est 5’6 [positions played: Striker

This kid is the Giuseppe Rossi of the even younger players. The best talent at his age in the country and a phenomenal talent. He is a tiny little guy with huge thighs for his size and unerring balance. His talent is prodigious… so much so that I’m sure if he carries on like this (and bulks up his upper body) he’s going to get his break in the next 3yrs. You name it, this kid can do it. He makes the fans laugh at the opposition with the way he humiliates and embarrasses players who are twice his size. His play is raw, nothing like Rossi’s refined artistry, but it is brilliant. He is that kind of kid who can watch a world class player do something and repeat it move for move without trying. He already has a show-reel of ridiculous goals.. overhead kicks, turning volleys, right and left foot shots from outside the box…you name it he can do it. For the first time in as long as I can remember Manchester United are absolutely stacked with potentially great strikers. Blake, Rossi, Campbell and next in line is Brandy all have a serious chance of making it here and also going on to become stars. After Rossi I would say Brandy’s talent is the most prodigious in the entire behind the scenes set-up for United and if he can maintain what he is doing and continues to improve at the rate he has done he may even catch up to Campbell or even usurp him. Unfortunately he broke his ankle (almost the exact same injury as Blake’s) away on England u-17 duty. I hope he comes back in the same way Blake did. It will be criminal if his development is stunted because this kid is destined for great things for club and country. You’ll hear his name often in the next few years in much the same way as you hear Rossi’s now. It is astounding for us to have 2 potential talents of this calibre at the club at the same time.


The subs
R. Jones, Marsh, Mullan, Shawcross and others are players I’ll have to see more of before I pass comment. Expect some comments on them mid or full season review.

 

Thanks for the words fellas. I just thought that I should get as much detail in as possible so that it is easier for people who dont get to see these players to have a visualisation.

billy: do you mean Ritiche Jones?

Johno: No scouting. I just keep my eye on the youngsters as it is a joy to watch them before they are tainted by fame and all that comes with it.

 

I was actually going to PM you about 'the Lee's' I don't know much about either of them and got the wrong one do'h. Thanks for pointing that out. Likewise for Adam.

I hope you stick around the boards cos you have info that will be a great help as the season progresses. I don't get to see much of the u-17's and below so your reports on them are much appreciated. Luke Steele will be written up mid-season as will most of the other subs.

 

Apologies again I took that he was nothern irish from an interview he did after the Everton game. I've never heard an accent like that on a person from ROI but.. ya live and ya learn I guess

but NP's on pointing out factual errors. I mean, it's best to have them cleared up as to not mislead anyone and I'm grateful for extra input. By now I would hope they are all out there

 

Btw, I'd like to thank Motterman for stickying this on request. Muuch appreciated

 

lol, tbh it is better for him if he is Irish. Not to be disrespectful to anyone from N.I who is here, but a kid with that kind of quality deserves a stong INT career and he's guaranteed a better run of it with ROI than the NI NT.

 

I am really saddend by this. He's officially gone now...I hope we don't fall apart because of this. He was instrumental in bringing many players on and through the reserve ranks. His tactical ability should also not go without mention. I think it'll be McClair who takes over.... he has some huge boots to step into.. I just hope he can develop players as well as Ricky!!

 

True. McClair has done good things with the u-18's and the players under his wing have developed nicely as well. I just really rate Ricky..to the point where I'd love to see him take over from Fergie if Fergie retired in a few years time and Ricky got some top level experience in. From one Scot to another