It really depends. A lot of MU kids get good loans and go on to good careers. See Cathcart at Watford, Keane at Burnley, etc. I don't think Olosunde is going to go on to make it at Man United but I do think he's getting an excellent footballing education and he'll get his shot on loan somewhere or in a permanent move and be a good footballer. Whether that's Premier League quality I can't say. For all the lamenting of churn and burn at Chelsea a ton of their guys go on to play at good levels around the world. Miazga may just be a side bet for them but he's a better player now because of his loan at Vitesse. If he can secure another loan at Espanyol or a Bundesliga club next season then his career is on a great trajectory regardless of whether he ever plays another game for Chelsea.
Sure, I generally agree. But I think it is less than ideal to be tied to a club where you have little or no hope of ever appearing for the first team. Hopefully it all works out for Olosunde.
I don't necessarily disagree with you but not everyone's path can be the same. Some kids have to reach for the stars and fail before they truly become pros and can take the next step. Some kids don't ever get the opportunity and have to work their way up level by level. Others see the big name, nice paycheck and learn a lot but never get a chance. Doesn't mean they failed. I don't think Julian Green is horribly worse off for failing to make the breakthrough at BM. Miazga's agent steered him to Chelsea because he has history there but there was no guarantee Miazga would have ever gotten a chance at a Premiere League Club otherwise. I can't fault a kid for dreaming big even if a second division club was probably a more realistic level.
Obviously pretty tough to refuse signing at Manchester United when they come calling as an 18 year old American kid.
And get you into Oxford because your parents demand you continue your education. I remember reading that in an article when he signed. Maybe thats why he hasnt been a big part of this cycle, Oxford refuses to release him
If you're playing the odds, this is not the endeavor for you. But when you take an objective look at the numbers, the odds of a Manchester United youth player making it as a first division professional in Europe's top 5 leagues are actually very, very, good relative to other European clubs. Only the youth players at a handful of Spanish and French clubs, and a smaller handful of German clubs, have better odds of making it as a first division pro in a top 5 league in Europe.
To the contrary, I am a high-risk, high reward type of gambler. So maybe we should play these odds . Really though, interesting information. Manchester United certainly has brought more youngsters through in recent years than say, its cross-town rivals. Are there stats on this?
Most the numbers I've come across over the past 2 - 3 years mirror the same findings in this CIES report from last season. The study defines a club's academy product as a player who was trained by the club for at least three years from 15 - 21. We want to look at Figure 7. I'm not making a subjective argument that Manchester United's academy is the 4th best in the world or anything like that. Way too many factors at play. The fact that Manchester United has a leg up in recruiting and buying talent relative to most clubs will skew the numbers above in their favor, but that same club advantage is also an advantage for our boy Olosunde as he tries to make it as a pro. If we were making subjective arguments for who's academy is the best at educating players, Atletic Club certainly has a strong case. The fact that they can produce like that while working with a talent pool drawn from a civilian population of only 1 - 2 million is ridiculous.
I don't think any of us have any idea of what his odds are. On the other hand, Dallas Cup is a great place to get scouted.
I'm shocked they lost 4-1, even though that age group is kind of mediocre for United's standards. I forget how young Matt is sometimes.
It's easy to make excuses but it would have taken them 18 hours of flights to reach Dallas and the humidity and heat will take acclimatisation as well. I wouldn't be surprised if they were off the pace against a better prepared team.
Watch Matthew Olosunde score amazing goal for Manchester United U-19’s http://www.starsandstripesfc.com/us...osunde-goal-manchester-united-u-19-dallas-cup
https://twitter.com/i/videos/tweet/852334269099913216?embed_source=clientlib&player_id=5&rpc_init=1 Matthew Olosunde was top scorer for @MANCHESTERUNITED... two strategic goals at the Dallas Cup; Aggressive dribble attack, great footwork and keeper nutmeg for the game winner against real Salt Lake; then, a header equalizer against Brazil's Coritiba; A clutch winner and a key equalizer : A New Jersey American Star is Born for ManU at the Dallas Cup !!! When will the teenager move from the U23 reserves to the ManU first team ?
https://www.facebook.com/AcademyMan...154168397890/1087789451367695/?type=1&theater https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=1088576054622368https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=1088576054622368 Manchester United's U23 Reserve Matthew Olosunde at Dallas Cup from Manu U Academy Facebook photo and video...
From what I've seen of Olosunde (back with the U17s, and then highlights of ManU), his style reminded me of Dortmund's Dembele. They dribble in that really technical but choppy way, feint super smooth and unpredictably, and both are fast as hell. I mean they play dissimilar positions and obviously Dembele has a higher ceiling but that goal he scored vs RSL showcased the similarities I think.
Funny I actually also thought that particular dribble and score resembled Dembele. It doesn't hurt that they have similar body types.
Come on, I hope people aren't serious. He's a 19 year old part time starter for Man United's U-23 team. He's not the next Ousmane Dembele. He has always been a defender (or at least since I remember following his career). If he had a second position other than RB, it would probably be CB. He's a competent footballer. Its not surprising he could not look out of place in wide midfield. Yedlin can go stretches looking competent at that position. Anyone who plays the game at the level he does should be able to occasionally make a really skillful play. He does not at all resemble Dembele, and he's not an attacker.
55% actually. They've played 20 games, he's started 11. Thats besides the point though. I'm not trying to denigrate his ability. He might turn into a good player, but the Demble comparisons are illogical.
Dude nobody said he was the next Demebele. Posters went out of their way to prevent someone from interpreting it that way but of course, there's always one.
That's your opinion. You are one person. Personally I see EXACTLY what @Brotheryoungbuck is talking about in regards to dribbling mechanics, and apparently I'm not the only one.
Did you watch the highlight? It resembled Dembele. We are allowed to make stylistic comparisons between players, even on very different levels of play. And no one is saying he will be as good as Dembele. Stop embarrassing yourself.