Five Manchester United Academy players who could play for the first-team this season

Manchester United have always been a club with the tradition of bringing through their academy players. Just take a look at the Class of ’92: Ryan Giggs, Phil and Gary Neville, David Beckham, Nicky Butt and Paul Scholes.

There will be many players in United’s academy that will only need to look at the rise of Marcus Rashford to have the belief that they can achieve similar things at the club.

José Mourinho’s already proven that he does bring through youth - providing they are good enough, and will continue to be in-and-around the squad. A player that benefited from that was Timothy Fosu-Mensah, who is now on-loan at Crystal Palace for the season.

Here are five Red Devils academy players who Mourinho could well promote to the first-team squad.

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#5 Scott McTominay – 20, Central Midfield

The Scottish midfielder received a call-up to the pre-season tour of America over the summer, with Mourinho keen to have a closer look at the player.

McTominay is a versatile, young player - he can play as a box-to-box midfielder, attacking midfielder, or even as a centre-forward.

With Man United's injuries to Paul Pogba and Marouane Fellaini, as well as Andreas Pereira going out on-loan to Valencia, McTominay might find himself being immersed in the match-day squads.

The 20 year old received 26 minutes of playing time against Burton Albion, in which he conducted the midfield well and kept the team in an organised shape.

There is high hopes at the club for McTominay, but he will need to take his chance with both hands when given the chance.

#4 Axel Tuanzebe – 19, Centre-Back

Tuanzebe is a solid young centre-back

The very highly-rated centre-back featured five times last season for Manchester United, but he will be hoping that he can extend that run of matches.

Already this season Tuanzebe has been named in the squad for a Champions League game - against CSKA Moscow. He might not have played any minutes, but the experience of going to Russia will have been invaluable.

At only 19 years old, Tuanzebe has already turned heads at United, and has been compared to none other than Rio Ferdinand. The England U-20 defender is so composed on the ball and very physical and domineering in the air.

Paul McGuinness, formerly Man United's U-18 coach, said of Tuanzebe: "It was the first time I'd picked a first-year scholar as captain. I don't think that has happened since Gary Neville was youth-team skipper. Axel did a very good job - on and off the field."

It is clear to see Tuanzebe is a leader on the pitch - providing he can carry on and show his great work ethic, it will not be long before he makes a name for himself in the first-team.

#3 Angel Gomes – 17, Attacking Midfield

Angel Gomes is hailed as a future star for England

Possibly one of England's brightest prospects in the game, Gomes made quite the impression when he came on for his debut last season against Crystal Palace.

It might have only been a short introduction, but Mourinho knows how talented Gomes is and how far he can go in his career.

Gomes is possibly a once-a-generation-type talent - he is naturally skillful, but can adopt the trickery he has and apply them in a game situation. Similar to Cristiano Ronaldo and his cousin, Luis Nani.

For the reserve teams, Gomes has been playing in a number 10 role, but there is no reason to suggest he cannot adapt his game to a more wide role. The England U-17 star has blistering pace and incredible composure for someone who is only 17.

He is certainly one for United's future, but in EFL Cup games, Mourinho should look to involve him in the match-day squad as much as possible.

#2 Ro-Shaun Williams – 19, Centre-Back / Right-Back

Ro-Shaun Williams (left) against Tottenham in a youth game

Similar to Tuanzebe, Williams has been a name that is very familiar to Manchester United's hierarchy for some time. Williams has never been called up to the Red Devils first-team, but with the way he is improving each year, it will not be long until he does get the call.

The benefit of having someone like Williams is his versatility. Williams can play on either the left or the right side as a centre-back, as well as in right-back. The England U-19 defender has a very good turn of speed and his passing range is very accomplished for his age.

Perhaps this year is a bit too soon for him under Mourinho, but he will certainly be one to watch with the way he is continuing his development in the youth teams.

#1 Joel Pereira – 20, Goalkeeper

Pereira could replace De Gea eventually

The Portuguese shot-stopper has impressed Mourinho since returning from his loan move at Belenenses in Portugal. The 21 year old has recently signed a new four-year contract with an option for an added year. He had many suitors lined up if he was to reject the contract, with Benfica, Porto and Sporting all keen to get him.

Pereira came on for Sergio Romero with 15 minutes to go in the EFL Cup against Burton Albion, a competition where he might pick up some minutes this season.

Reserves coach, Warren Joyce, said of him: "He's a great personality and is also a decent keeper. He's a good kid and exactly how you want a Manchester United person to be. It's pleasing for him to come back and play."

He might be third in the pecking order, but Mourinho has high hopes for the player and will keep on promoting him to the first-team when he has the opportunity to do so.