Manchester United are no strangers to a group of outstanding young players coming up and ushering in an era of success.
‘The Busby Babes’ are at the very foundation of Old Trafford history. Sir Matt Busby oversaw a young United team that won the 1956 and 1957 English Title’s with an average age of 21 and 22 years respectively.
The team included legends of the game such as Duncan Edwards, Tommy Taylor and World Cup winner Sir Bobby Charlton.
Tragically, the true greatness of that team will never be fully known, as eight players were killed in the Munich Air Disaster of 1958.
Decades later, United developed a new batch of greats that would become known as ‘Fergies Fledglings.’
This group contained David Beckham, Ryan Giggs, the Neville Brothers and Paul Scholes. They would go on to win the League and Cup double in 1996, and make a mockery of BBC pundit Alan Hansen’s infamous early season statement; “You’ll never win anything with kids.”
The group would go on to contribute heavily as United dominated domestic football, and also won the Premier League, FA Cup and UEFA Champions League in 1999.
Individual glory was also achieved by these youngsters, David Beckham would go on to captain England for six years; Paul Scholes would retire widely acknowledged as a great of his generation and Ryan Giggs continues to contribute after becoming the most decorated player in the English game.
With the career of Giggs in its final stages, it would be fitting if he was to groom and usher in the next generation of home-grown United greats.
Manchester United opened the season with a scrappy 2-1 win over West Bromwich Albion, the late winner they scored had many fans thinking “same old United” despite the new blood on display.
For their home opener against Tottenham Hotspur, Ferguson finished a youthful side that many critics predicted could be exposed by a lively Spurs team. What transpired was quite the opposite.
Young English defender Chris Smalling dealt well with Spurs winger Gareth Bale, and a young central duo of Jonny Evans and Phil Jones helped 20 year old goalkeeper David De Gea keep his first clean sheet at Old Trafford.
Young Brazilian midfielder Anderson is settling into a central midfield role, and Tom Cleverley played well alongside him.
Cleverley created the first goal when he sent over a fine cross that Danny Welbeck headed home. Welbeck then produced a magical back heel to set up Anderson, before Wayne Rooney scored to round off an impressive 3-0 win.
While Rooney is a relative veteran, even he has joined in the youthful attitude by re-growing his hair through surgery!
While it is early days, it is possible we are witnessing the birth of new greatness at Old Trafford.
The team included legends of the game such as Duncan Edwards, Tommy Taylor and World Cup winner Sir Bobby Charlton.
Tragically, the true greatness of that team will never be fully known, as eight players were killed in the Munich Air Disaster of 1958.
Decades later, United developed a new batch of greats that would become known as ‘Fergies Fledglings.’
This group contained David Beckham, Ryan Giggs, the Neville Brothers and Paul Scholes. They would go on to win the League and Cup double in 1996, and make a mockery of BBC pundit Alan Hansen’s infamous early season statement; “You’ll never win anything with kids.”
The group would go on to contribute heavily as United dominated domestic football, and also won the Premier League, FA Cup and UEFA Champions League in 1999.
Individual glory was also achieved by these youngsters, David Beckham would go on to captain England for six years; Paul Scholes would retire widely acknowledged as a great of his generation and Ryan Giggs continues to contribute after becoming the most decorated player in the English game.
With the career of Giggs in its final stages, it would be fitting if he was to groom and usher in the next generation of home-grown United greats.
Manchester United opened the season with a scrappy 2-1 win over West Bromwich Albion, the late winner they scored had many fans thinking “same old United” despite the new blood on display.
For their home opener against Tottenham Hotspur, Ferguson finished a youthful side that many critics predicted could be exposed by a lively Spurs team. What transpired was quite the opposite.
Young English defender Chris Smalling dealt well with Spurs winger Gareth Bale, and a young central duo of Jonny Evans and Phil Jones helped 20 year old goalkeeper David De Gea keep his first clean sheet at Old Trafford.
Young Brazilian midfielder Anderson is settling into a central midfield role, and Tom Cleverley played well alongside him.
Cleverley created the first goal when he sent over a fine cross that Danny Welbeck headed home. Welbeck then produced a magical back heel to set up Anderson, before Wayne Rooney scored to round off an impressive 3-0 win.
While Rooney is a relative veteran, even he has joined in the youthful attitude by re-growing his hair through surgery!
While it is early days, it is possible we are witnessing the birth of new greatness at Old Trafford.
