This young star could be Manchester United’s next Mason Greenwood
By Bence Bocsak
This young star could be the next Mason Greenwood at Manchester United and he is expected to have a big year ahead. Keep your eyes open.
When Sir Matt Busby arrived at Old Trafford, he wasn’t a ‘sir’. He was just Matt Busby. And Manchester United wasn’t the Manchester United, it was just Manchester United. The Red Devils had just won 1 FA Cup and 2 First Division titles prior to Matt Busby’s arrival.
But the club’s legendary pioneer changed all that. At the heart of Busby’s philosophy was the implementation of youth. He’d often watch the youth play on fields and discovered some of the best United prospects of the era whilst doing so, including Bobby Charlton and Duncan Edwards.
Following Busby’s departure from the club, the Red Devils’ philosophy seemed to vanish and the academy was often neglected at Old Trafford.
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However another sir who also wasn’t known as a sir prior to his arrival at the club, changed that for the better. Sir Alex Ferguson built on the foundations laid down by Busby and the Scotsman created one of the most complex academy structures of the era.
It paid dividends. Sir Alex Ferguson produced the famous Class of 92 which consisted of academy players such as Paul Scholes, Gary Neville, David Beckham and Ryan Giggs. The quartet and Nicky Butt and Phil Neville went onto play a huge part in helping United secure a famous treble in 1999.
It seems Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is hoping to continue the tradition of promoting youth too. The Norwegian who honed his skills as a player under Ferguson and who will remember the treble winning season well of course, has brought through an impressive collection of players at Old Trafford. The likes of Marcus Rashford, Brandon Williams, Scott McTominay and Mason Greenwood have thrived under his leadership. They are probably the most impressive collection of academy stars in the first team since the Class of 92.
The best of the lot is Mason Greenwood. The 18 year old possess a lethal shot and has already been prolific in front of goal.
And more academy players could soon follow suit of Greenwood.
17 year old Hannibal Mejbri who plays in the club’s U23 team has looked extremely impressive this season. He is a composed and elegant midfielder, blessed with great technical ability and looks ready for first team action.
With Ole Gunnar Solskjaer lacking depth in the midfield department, and Paul Pogba set to leave Old Trafford, Hannibal Mejbri might get his opportunity.
Do you think Hannibal Mejbri is ready for the first team?