Manchester United have one of the nation’s best academies, with special footballers at every level threatening to break through to the next level up.
Ineos are set to be reliant on the academy in the coming years, with finances not available to spend huge money in the transfer window.
Luckily for Manchester United, the academy is packed full of quality youngsters with the potential to be elite in their careers.
READ: Man Utd under-18s top scorers and assists in 2024/25, all results
Chido Obi is the brightest example of this, as he arrived as a U18 striker in November and his rise has been remarkable with 15 goals at U18 and U21 level in that time.
The wonderkid Obi is already firmly part of Ruben Amorim’s side and is the template which the rest of the academy will be trying to replicate in the coming months and years.
Now, some of the most exciting wonderkids have been on fire for United’s U16 side on Saturday.
Manchester United U16 thrash Bournemouth 7-0
United’s U18s beat Derby 3-2 on Saturday, but they weren’t the only age group in action with the U16s also playing.
It was a thrashing from United, with 16-year-old Welsh striker Louie Bradbury the star of the show in the game, scoring three of the goals.
He was joined on the scoresheet by Douka Nkoto, JJ Gabriel, Neithan Barbosa and Yuel Helafu.
But it’s Bradbury who has caught the eye – not for the first time – with his goal record ridiculous. Bradbury has even been handed his U21 debut already despite this being far above his age group.
It was only a few weeks ago that Bradbury bagged his first U18 goal for United, as he has gone strength to strength since joining from Shrewsbury in 2023.
Louie Bradbury is proving very promising for Manchester United
Bradbury is no stranger to hat-tricks with several in recent memory for both United and Wales youth levels. He is an absolute goal machine and will remind fans of players like Gabriele Biancheri.
Another comparison to be made is that Bradbury could be United’s next Obi, with both incredible in front of goal and capable of scoring ridiculous finishes and seem to have a knack for being positioned perfectly.
United have slowly been integrating Bradbury into the U18 side over the past few months, and after this performance, it seems clear he is simply too good to be playing U16 football anymore, which should result in his permanent promotion.
Biancheri is in his last season as a U18, which means the U18s need a new leading man. This will be Bradbury next season, and we would predict also for the majority of this season.
from United In Focus https://ift.tt/DqefpxC