Manchester United might be one of the biggest clubs in the world, generate insane amount of revenue and have sponsorship deals that many clubs haven't even began to consider, yet one of thing has remained constant throughout their history.
For all the money that they spend on players, they have always given youth a chance. The promotion of the academy graduates is one of the reasons why United have been able to maintain their level of success over the past couple of decades.
So let us take a look at the 5 best academy players at Manchester United currently:
#5 Cameron Borthwick-Jackson
In modern football, one of the hardest positions to master is full back. Not only do you have to read the game expertly and stop crossing coming in and contain tricky wingers but you also need to have the stamina to run up and down the pitch throughout the game and contribute in attack as well. One full back who has shown himself very capable of doing just that is Cameron Borthwick-Jackson.
The 19-year-old Mancunian isn't only a strong tackler but has shown that his range of passing isn't too shabby either. Although he primarily plays as a left back, he has shown himself to be at home as a left-footed centre-back as well. When you make your debut for United's U-21 side as a 16-year-old, you know that you have something special.
Although he has tough opposition, in the form of Luke Shaw, to overcome, he will be hoping to play more and impress and become a first-team regular in the not-too distant future.
#4 Joe Riley
Football is a difficult art to master at the best of times, which is why so few footballers actually become professionals. But to become a footballer who is good at more than one position is something that is very rare and unique as few have managed to successfully cultivate a career with that.
One of the few is former United player, John O'Shea and in Joe Riley, it looks as though the Red Devils might have someone to follow in his footsteps. While it is far too early to make any comparisons to current players, Riley's style of play is similar to that of Bayern Munich's David Alaba as he can play full back, central midfield or on the wings as well.
His biggest attribute, aside from his versatility is his crossing, which has already earned him rave reviews inside Old Trafford and his dead ball skills. Yet, the one thing that might make him shine under Jose Mourinho is his tenaciousness and his ability to patrol the flanks throughout the game without every looking tired. And Riley will be hoping to get a chance to show the Portuguese manager just why he is worthy of a first-team spot soon.
#3 Andreas Pereira
There are many reasons why making the switch up from reserve team football to the first-team is difficult. One of the main reasons is the sudden change in the physicality of opponents, especially in England. While you might mostly be playing against players of the same age and physique in the reserves, when you come up against bigger, stronger and faster players, you need to be able to adapt quickly.
Ever since he signed from PSV Eindhoven, Andreas Pereira has been one who has been marked for the future. The main reason for that is his football intelligence. As an attacking midfielder, he has the ability to not just beat his man but also pick a pass. Comfortable in possession and an excellent set-piece taker as well, the Belgium-born Brazilian playmaker has all the attributes to succeed at the highest level.
While injury might have robbed him of an opportunity to impress towards the end of last season, if he continues performing at his current rate for both his national team and the reserves, it won't be long before Pereira becomes a familiar name at Old Trafford.
#2 Marcus Rashford
Life isn't always a fairtytale but in Marcus Rashford's case, it has been. The 18-year-old came through the ranks at United and was given his first-team debut against Midtjylland in the Europa League game. Like any good fairtyale, he scored twice and he capped off a stunning week by scoring in his first league game, against Arsenal.
At the end of his first full season as a first-team player, Rashford already has 8 goals from 17 appearances. While strikers are usually measured by the amount of goals that they score, in Rashford's case, his ability to be a pest to defenders and constantly find space in the opposition's penalty box is what makes him an incredible difficult player to mark.
With Wayne Rooney looking like he is set for a deeper role, Rashford will have more opportunity to impress in the upcoming season. With a Euro 2016 spot all but certain already, a fairytale season is coming to an end for the English striker, who will be eager to impress the new manager.
#1 Timothy Fosu-Mensah
When you are one of the most-sought youngsters in Europe, reserve team football isn't always the best pathway to success. One of the main reasons for that is the versatility that one must possess, especially at a club like Manchester United, where youngsters are regularly called up to the first-team and you have to sometimes fill a round hole with a square peg.
In the case of Timothy Fosu-Mensah, however, that has been the best thing that could have happened to him. Although he is primarily a centre back, who can at times, play at full back, the need for playing in a variety of positions in reserve team football has meant that he has played in a variety of positions that has greatly enhanced his potential to become a superstar in the making.
Although he is just 18, Fosu-Mensah has already shown himself to be ready for the step up to first-team football. His versatility, strength and speed means he is equally adept at central midfield or defence and it is precisely that which might help him develop into one of the best academy graduates to come out of Old Trafford.
