U18s: Manchester United 1-2 Middlesbrough - 19th December 2015

Gomes with the assist.

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He was superb today. In an age where left wingers are right footed and like to cut in, it was refreshing to see him taking on players on the outside. Has great finishing ability, scores with his left from the left at some really tight angles too.
 
Belgisch United-talent vol vertrouwen: "Mijn debuut? Volgend seizoen, hoop ik"

Indy Boonen fell last week to the youth of Manchester United, but is already known as a gifted talent. Voetbalkrant.com spoke with the young attacking midfielder about his ambitious plans for the future.

Because ambition, the young Limburger sure. "I hope next season to make my debut with the first team. Preferably in the Premier League , of course, but a match in the League Cup would already be very beautiful," said Boonen.

"I have faith in it." At United also everybody knows him. "At United knows every coach all of you. They are all well connected with each other and give feedback on. They are very hard working youth, you can feel it."

In the preseason he was allowed to exercise even a taste of the first team. "I learned a lot, it was special to be on the field with them. This season mik me a few games with the U21, further I just want to do my thing in the U18."

His schedule resembles that of a football player in our first class, although the first team. "We live like pros, we train in the morning, in the afternoon, the rest mainly to then go to the gym. School is only on Monday morning."
The joker

ls young player from Belgium to United draw, it is not easy. "The first two months it was difficult because my English was not good enough. Since this is better, I also perform stronger. If I compare it with others, I've quickly changed", the young attacking midfielder stated.

He even threw itself on one of the pranksters of the locker room. "Sometimes I'm kidding, yes. I usually speak or one or another English word wrong, making everyone laughing anyway."
 
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Good goal... But here's me question... Who is that number 8? I know it's a short video but he looks an accomplished midfielder.
 
He looks a really accomplished player! Like how comfortable he looks on the ball. Is he playing CM?
 
Manchester United Under-18 player pen pics - Official Manchester United Website

Kieran McKenna:


"Maybe one of the best finishers in the group. He's a wide player, not a traditional winger really, but someone who likes to get in the box. He's really good off both feet and not bad in the air; a really instinctive finisher. He's a bubbly character as well and one who, I think, has got a fair bit of physical development to come. If he keeps his head down, he can go in the right direction in the next couple of years."
 
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Disappointing news. He was under used at reserve level unless he suffered with injuries.
 
Don't watch a lot of the youth teams but heard this kids name a few times on peoples ones to watch lists so surprised to see him leave but good luck to him.
 
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Disappointing news. He was under used at reserve level unless he suffered with injuries.


Really disappointing news this. He's one of the youngsters I was keeping an eye on. Mind you with the current manager he charge he wouldn't have gotten much of a chance anyway.
 
I don't think he was progressing all that well tbh. Still only young but the fact that he is going to a Belgian club suggests he hadn't developed.
 
I don't think he was progressing all that well tbh. Still only young but the fact that he is going to a Belgian club suggests he hadn't developed.

Yeah I think that's fair bud. One of those players perhaps who looked great as a youngster but hasn't developed as we'd hope. How are Buffonage and Gomes coming along
 
Yeah I think that's fair bud. One of those players perhaps who looked great as a youngster but hasn't developed as we'd hope. How are Buffonage and Gomes coming along
I think the likes of Greenwood and Chong have perhaps moved ahead of Buffonge in terms of the talents coming through but Buffonge still performs well for the youth teams so there is a chance for him to come through.

I don’t watch as much youth football as I used too but I think Gomes is progressing well and is still well thought of.
 
Again both still young. My gut feeling in buffonge won't make it at United. Gomes I think has a much better chance but he would have to be patient as I seem him as a bit of a late developer I have high hopes for chong, o Connor, garner, Greenwood and laird. I see a couple of those possibly developing before Angel.
 
Interesting... Cheers guys. I know it was slightly off topic but just wanted to know how those young guys were progressing. I know at one point Boonen was well thought of but I guess never stepped up and so now he has a chance to shine for a much smaller club.
 
Yeah I thought highly of him. I don't think he has progessed as hoped and no doubt there will be a lot more who fall by the wayside. The class of 92 was a bit of a one off. If you can bring 1 or 2 through from any 1 academy period your staff have done a good job.
 
Again both still young. My gut feeling in buffonge won't make it at United. Gomes I think has a much better chance but he would have to be patient as I seem him as a bit of a late developer I have high hopes for chong, o Connor, garner, Greenwood and laird. I see a couple of those possibly developing before Angel.
Yeah agreed, I’ve always liked Buffonge but I think he will eventually move on, would be a shame but there are a few youngsters ahead of him that look more the part.

That list is pretty fair in regards to the big talents we have in the youth team, I would add Traore to that list also. Really hope Greenwood can keep kicking on because in the youth teams he has been dynamite.
 
I think in modern football if you can get 1 player into the first team squad every 2 or 3 years you are doing pretty well at a top club these days.

The class of 92 were a freak group that might never happen again in this country like Barca and the group they had 10 years ago with Messi, Pique, Fabregas, Busquets, Pedro all coming through around the same time since then they've really struggled to bring the next generation of players through.

You need to take a bit of a wider view of it these days it's more about how many professional footballers you produce as a club rather than how many you can get in your first team setup because those lads who make it to the first team through an academy are like the 1% of the 1% who make it they are unicorns.
 

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