Bruno Fernandes was in attendance to watch the FA Youth Cup on Thursday night as Manchester United fell to defeat against Manchester City.
After an incredible season, Manchester United’s U18s end the campaign trophyless.
After losing the Premier League Cup final, Manchester United lost 2-1 to Manchester City in the FA Youth Cup final, which is a result that will hurt, given the unusually passive performance.
The Joie Stadium was packed with recognisable faces, as Pep Guardiola watched, but so did Michael Carrick and the United first-team staff. Along with coaches, Bruno Fernandes, Mason Mount, Luke Shaw, and Ayden Heaven led a group of players who attended.
Fernandes, in particular, will be impressed by one player wearing red.
Jim Thwaites shows Bruno Fernandes he can be his successor
Despite defeat, United had some top performers who played to a level that saw them individually deserving of a win; one of these was Jim Thwaites.
While those ahead of him struggled, Thwaites performed at his usual excellent level, which made him United’s best player in the game.
Particularly good was Thwaites’ vision, with some incredible passes, including the one that assisted Godwill Kukonki for his opening goal in a manner that resembled the Fernandes to Casemiro combination that United have benefited from this season.
Thwaites curled a cross toward the back post in the fashion of Fernandes, for Kukonki, who timed his run perfectly, similar to the Brazilian midfielder
This pass is just an example of the brilliance Thwaites has in his feet, as he also picked out some passes Fernandes would be proud of throughout. One saw him pick out Junior Brown with a pass between the City centre-back and left-back to find his winger.
But it’s the assist that shows that Thwaites can be a future Fernandes for United, more in that he can be relied on to create and put these quality passes together.
Jim Thwaites should debut for Manchester United vs Nottingham Forest
With Thwaites putting in an exhaustive shift in midfield on Thursday night, he is unlikely to play with the U21s on Saturday night, given the quick turnaround for the U21 Premier League 2 final.
Therefore, his season is either over, or he gets a chance in the first-team to conclude the season on a high.
United face Nottingham Forest on Sunday afternoon in the final Old Trafford outing of the season, and this should see Carrick give one or two debuts to academy players.
Thwaites deserves to debut, with excellent performances all season, and his game could actually be even better in professional football.
This should happen; hopefully, Carrick was also impressed by Thwaites in the FA Youth Cup final.
from United In Focus https://ift.tt/aQD01AV