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The ‘Class of 92’ has become an iconic celebration of a group of Manchester United academy prospects who all made it to the big-time together. Coming through the youth sides and eventually stepping out onto the hallowed turf of Old Trafford as bona-fide first-team stars. A tale worthy of being made into a movie…
But where once they heralded an era of unprecedented dominance in the Premier League, the Red Devils now find themselves in the midst of one of their darkest periods in recent memory. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side have endured a nightmare six years since the departure of Sir Alex Ferguson, and things have never looked so bleak on the pitch.
Just how could they do with a touch of inspiration? Well, they appear to have a rare silver lining in the shape of a new crop of prospects. Solskjaer has talked up the emphasis on giving young players a chance, and given the quality and quantity of those coming through the club’s academy system, it is easy to see why.
Whether they can match up to the achievements of the ‘Class of 92’ remains to be seen, but there are some striking similarities in terms of the position, profile and personality of those from yesteryear and now.
[snack_break title=”Mason Greenwood-David Beckham”]
The two most talked about names of their respective classes, Greenwood and Beckham are the undoubted standouts when it comes to the public eye. While the latter may not have been the ‘best’ player in the ‘Class of 92’ – that award generally seems to go to either Paul Scholes or Ryan Giggs – he certainly became the most high-profile individual of any United academy graduate.
Similarly, Greenwood is the name on every Red Devils fans’ lips at the moment – the recently turned 18-year-old burst on to the scene during the club’s pre-season tour earlier in the summer, and his two Europa League goals in limited game-time this season have already earned him a new long-term contract.
[snack_break title=”James Garner-Paul Scholes”]
If there is one player United desperately need to succeed out of their new crop of youngsters, it may well be Garner. The 18-year-old is talked about highly by those within the club and outside, and his style of play has already earned rave reviews.
The central midfielder boasts calmness and composure in equal measure, and in a first-team squad that quite truthfully lacks anyone who can sit back and dictate the tempo of the game, Garner is surely destined to be fast-tracked into the first-team. Scholes was the heartbeat of the United side for an entire generation – the Red Devils will hope their new teenage sensation can do the same now.
[snack_break title=”Tahith Chong-Ryan Giggs”]
United have always been blessed with world-class wingers during the Premier League era, with Cristiano Ronaldo and Giggs no doubt the two best. One man who has been tipped to follow in the footsteps of the latter, is Chong. Former academy coach Clayton Blackmore – who reportedly encouraged the club to sign the Dutchman from Feyernoord – was quite unequivocal in his praise of the 19-year-old.
He remarked: “The closest player I’ve seen to filling Ryan Giggs’ boots was Angel Di Maria but Mr Van Gaal did not play him in the right position. He (Chong) could be the next one. He’s playing on the wing, looking really good running with the ball as well like Ryan. He’s done well since coming back from injury. He can go the distance.” Quite the comparison.
[snack_break title=”Brandon Williams-Gary Neville”]
A club stalwart, Neville racked up 597 appearances for United as he defined himself as a reliable, one-club man. A solid defensive full-back, the former England international was an ever-present in the Red Devils’ first-team under Sir Alex Ferguson. Whilst Williams is a left-back by trade, by being naturally right-footed, he could switch over to the opposite flank and be the long-term heir to Neville’s throne.
Even if that positional change doesn’t happen, Williams will back himself to assert himself in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side sooner rather than later, particularly if his only genuine competition is a 34-year-old Ashley Young and an injury-prone Luke Shaw.
[snack_break title=”Axel Tuanzebe-Phil Neville”]
The ultimate utility man, Neville made a career out of putting the team’s needs first, and playing wherever the manager wanted him – something he admitted sometimes worked against him. And whilst Tuanzebe may similarly take offence at simply being known as someone who fills gaps, he could enjoy a remarkably long career by proving his versatility to the side.
He showed his commitment to the cause earlier this season, when in the space of a week, he played at left-back against Arsenal, and then at both centre-back and right-back in the same game against Newcastle. Injuries and tactical switches are bound to happen over the course of a season, and so the 21-year-old can enhance his reputation at Old Trafford by becoming the man his manager relies upon to step up when needed.
[snack_break title=”Angel Gomes-Nicky Butt”]
Perhaps the least heralded member of the ‘Class of 92’, Butt still went on to play 383 times for the club – a feat that arguably goes unremembered because he played second-fiddle to midfielders like Scholes and Roy Keane. The former England international was a reliable lieutenant for Ferguson, playing in crunch clashes and never letting the side down.
Gomes, is similarly diminutive in terms of stature (he stands at just 5 foot 3), but has shown glimpses he can be a figure Solskjaer can turn to. Gomes and Butt are distinctly different in terms of their positions and their play-styles, and compared to the other members on this list, perhaps not quite as talented. But as Butt proved in his spell at the club, hard work can beat talent.
And that’s exactly what Gomes should take inspiration from.
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