Outgoing manager Sir Alex Ferguson has included a player produced by Manchester United’s academy in every one of his 1500 games in charge and believes he has left David Moyes with another fine crop.
The Red Devils produced a stunning comeback to fight back from two goals down to beat Tottenham 3-2 in the final of the Barclays U21 Premier League at Old Trafford.
So who are the Manchester United boys in with a shout of forcing their way into Moyes’ first-team plans?
Handover: David Moyes picks up an exciting youth team from Sir Alex Ferguson
Larnell Cole, 20, wingerThe little wide man scored a hat-trick in last week’s 3-1 win over bitter rivals Liverpool but was even more impressive in the adversity of the Tottenham match.
The Manchester-born midfielder took responsibility for turning the tide after a dominant first-half showing from Spurs, pulling United level before showing the composure to find the corner with two minutes remaining to snatch the win.
Cole came off the bench in the 3-0 League Cup win at Leeds last season and has set his sights on more under Moyes.
He said: 'This is what dreams are made of. Next season I just want to push on and getting into the first team is the main aim.'
Triumphant: Adnan Januzaj, Larnell Cole, Jesse Lingard and Charni Ekangamene celebrate Adnan Januzaj, 18, attacking midfielderSir Alex Ferguson sparked a Google rampage when he talked up Januzaj’s potential in April and the Belgian, who only turned 18 in February, was an unused substitute in the veteran Scot’s final game in charge, Sunday’s 5-5 draw at West Brom.
Warren Joyce’s lack of strikers meant Januzaj was pressed into a lone forward’s role against Tottenham but there was still plenty of evidence of the youngster’s quality.
Tall, strong and versatile, Januzaj has a wonderful left foot and must be confident of being on the fringes of Moyes’ squad next season. He joined from Anderlecht in 2011 and after struggling with injuries in his first season, Januzaj picked up more than half of the fans votes for this season’s reserve player of the year award.
Michael Keane, 20. centre backThe defender returned from the heart-break of Leicester’s dramatic play-off semi-final defeat to Watford to play in the win over Liverpool just over 24 hours later last week.
He started the Capital One Cup matches against Newcastle and Chelsea earlier this season before spending the second half of the campaign on loan at Leicester, where he was a regular under Nigel Pearson.
Keane was offered a real physical test by Jonathan Obika and his old Leicester team-mate Harry Kane but the no-nonsense kid from Stockport had a key role in helping his side turn their night around.
There are plenty ahead of him at Old Trafford but Keane, whose twin brother Will is also at United, has a chance.
Old school: Sir Alex Ferguson's original 'magnificent seven' of United academy graduates (from left) Ryan Giggs, Nicky Butt, David Beckham, Gary Neville, Phil Neville, Paul Scholes and Terry Cooke Ryan Tunnicliffe, 20, central midfieldThis young midfielder from Bury is never going to threaten Michael Carrick’s position but his infectious energy has made a real difference for Warren Joyce’s side.
The bustling youngster featured as a substitute in both United’s League Cup matches this season and had a loan spell in the Championship with Barnsley earlier this year.
Midfield is an area Moyes will be paying particular attention to this summer, with doubts about whether Darren Fletcher will be able to return from a bowel condition and question marks over Anderson’s future, and Tunnicliffe will feel he can capitalise. You would not argue with him.
All action: Ryan Tunnicliffe leaps into the air against Tottenham on Monday night Charni Ekangamene, 19, central midfieldAnother Belgian with another nice left foot, Eknangamene looks a cool yet tough midfielder, at home sweeping up in front of the back four. He interested Chelsea, Arsenal and Ajax before United snapped him up from Royal Antwerp in 2010 and Eknangamene showed real maturity in his play against both Liverpool and Tottenham.
Marnick Vermijl, 21, right backAt his age, Vermijl will be looking to make a real impression next season and he certainly did the business against Tottenham.
Yet another Belgian, Vermijl pushed forward and drove in United’s first goal to spark the comeback, before crossing for Cole to score the winner.
The former Standard Liege defender has been at Old Trafford for three years and started the 2-1 Capital One Cup win over Newcastle in September.
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