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Manchester United have probably had one of the worst seasons in their entire history. As such, they’ll want to strengthen their squad in the upcoming summer transfer window with quality players.
As they do that, however, they should keep in mind that they still have some of the best young talents in their academy.
Some of the players in their youth system will need to make the grade up next season and see if they can cut it in the league. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will also have taken note of them and will want to assure the club that the tradition of promoting young players is something that will continue.
A few of the young players that are expected to make the grade up next season have had some taste of first-team football already, while others have even gone on loan and performed quite well. We’ve already seen Solskjaer saying that he wants to see someone like Axel Tuanzebe play for United, and no doubt he’ll want to see more of these youngsters make a grade up.
Here are five players who are expected to have their breakthrough seasons this year.
1. James Garner
James Garner is a young midfielder who is very highly regarded at United at the moment. He was even in the squad for a game against Crystal Palace in the Premier League.
Garner is someone who has been likened to Manchester United coach Michael Carrick because of the way he controls the game in the centre of the field, and because of his composure on the ball.
If the young Englishman can have his breakthrough next season, he will save United a lot of money they’d have spent in searching for a holding midfielder. At just 19 years old, he still has a lot of time on his hands to develop and reach the potential that he’s already shown in the youth setups.
2. Mason Greenwood
In United's final game of the just concluded League season, against Cardiff, one player made his full debut for the team. That was young forward Mason Greenwood, who Solskjaer seems to value highly.
Greenwood showed just how much potential he had in that game, impressing all United fans.
In fact, in that game, he was one of United’s top performers, which speaks volumes about his temperament. The team was in disarray and none of the regular starters gave the team half of what they are capable of, but Greenwood produced the goods.
Next season looks like it will be his time to shine, assuming Solskjaer gives him enough time to build on. He’s capable of playing anywhere along the frontline and can give Manchester United options and new dimensions in how they attack.
With United already having Marcus Rashford who broke into the team some seasons back, it will be a joy to watch another graduate partner him in that forward line.
3. Axel Tuanzebe
Young English defender Axel Tuanzebe is one player that everyone expects to make a breakthrough next season. Having spent the last season on loan at Aston Villa where he’s obviously been one of their standout performers, Tuanzebe now has the experience to back up his claim for a starting spot at United.
With the United central defence looking quite lightweight and unable to keep clean sheets, a new defender is just what they are looking for. And they already have Tuanzebe to fill in that central defence spot.
In comparison to young Ajax defender Matthijs de Ligt, who almost all the top teams in Europe would be interested in, Tuanzebe would be a far cheaper option for United.
At just 21 years of age, he is a leader and an organizer at the back, and quite handy with the ball at his feet. He’s one person that can slot in with Victor Lindelof or any top defender that Manchester United may bring in.
Solskjaer has already said he’s interested in seeing him play for United. That’s as good an assurance as any that he’ll have his breakthrough next season.
4. Tahith Chong
Tahith Chong flirted with the possibility of a first team appearance the entire last season, and you get the feeling that next season is when it is going to happen for him. If he does actually break through and hold down a position in the team, it will be a relief for Manchester United fans since most of them can’t wait to see him play regularly for the first team.
Technically gifted, Chong has speed and is quite able on the ball; he is surely seen as the man that will finally nail down the troubled right wing position at United. The Dutch youngster is obviously talented and can become permanent in the United squad for years to come, but they’ll have to give him game time if he is to continue his development.
Chong is approaching 20 years of age and if he doesn’t get game time from now on, he may feel that it is his time to look elsewhere. United don’t want to be in a position where they will have to sign him later on after he leaves for another team.
5. Angel Gomes
If there is one player right now who has come through the youth setup for United and may be wondering where he has gone wrong, it has to be Angel Gomes. The attacking midfielder is obviously one of the hottest prospects in United’s academy at the moment, hence the constant links to Barcelona and other top teams.
Having made his debut for United at just 16 years and some days, the fans expected him to have been a constant in the squad by now - at least in the Carabao Cup. That, however, hasn’t happened; in fact, he has had less game time compared to his other academy graduates.
Next season, with a clean slate and after a full pre-season where Solskjaer will have had a close look at him, Gomes might just have his breakthrough for United. The attacking midfield position is one that is highly contested in the team, so he may have to wait for his chance or have a crack at the wings. Either way, next season sure looks like his breakthrough moment.
