5 Manchester United academy players to keep an eye on

Manchester United's academy is renowned for its ability to nurture talented kids into future superstars. Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, David Beckham, Paul Pogba and most recent promotee Marcus Rashford are few of the many who have graduated from the academy. The process hasn't just been continued over the years. It has thrived.

Here are 5 current academy players to watch out for in the future:

---

#5 Demetri Mitchell (Defender, 20):

Demetri Mitchell(right)

A change in position is always tough to make, usually, the ones from attack to defence but young Demetri Mitchell has impressed everybody with his performance since the transition.

Born in Manchester, Demetri has been a part of United's youth program since 2013 after starting his footballing career with Fletcher Moss Rangers academy.

Demetri was originally a forward who primarily featured on the left wing but necessity forced his team to play him on the left side of defence and he has responded in brilliant fashion by contributing with assists and goals.

He was a vital figure in his teams winning run at the Milk Cup in 2014 where he chased the title of highest goalscorer with 6 strikes.

Demetri was awarded for his consistent performances and was named in United's starting eleven for the match against Crystal Palace on 21st May 2017. He was also nominated for the 'Reserve Player of The Year' award for the 16-17 season.

Demetri's tricky style of play and natural pace ensured that he succeeded in his youth days as a winger. Described as a potential game-changer with an ability to defend and also score stunning goals, he is an excellent finisher with 6 goals from the 16-17 season which acts as a testament to it.

He has been an integral part of England's youth program with appearances in their U16, U17, U18 and U20 teams.

Here is a look at Manchester United's talented left-back:

#4 Angel Gomes (Midfielder, 17):

Angel Gomes(3rd from left)

Only 17 years of age, Angel Gomes is already breaking records at Manchester United, he made his senior debut on 21st May 2017, thereby becoming United's youngest ever debutant and also becoming the first player born in the 21st century to appear in the Premier League.

Born in London, Gomes has been a part of Manchester United's academy since the age of 6 and signed for the club in 2014. Even at the age of 14, he had been a regular member of United's U18 team playing with opponents elder to him by 3-4 years.

In August 2016, at 15 years of age, he became United's youngest ever hat-trick scorer at the academy level. He won the 'Best Young Player of The Year' award for the 16-17 season, having scored 12 goals in 19 games for the U18's.

An attacking midfielder, Gomes is mostly deployed on the wing by United. His close control, dribbling and technique are some of the attributes which have amazed the Man United coaches and made them expect something special from him.

He has been a part of England's U16, U17 & U18 teams and has captained all these age groups. Gomes is also a part of England's U17 World Cup squad.

A look at one of United's bright prospects:

#3 Tosin Kehinde (Midfielder, 19):

Tosin Kehinde

Another young prospect gaining steam in Manchester United's academy is Toshin Kehinde, a defensive midfielder who gained Mourinho's approval after an impressive performance in a League 2 match.

Born in Lagos, Nigeria, Toshin has been a part of United's academy for a quite some time now and has come up their ranks to become a member of the U21 side. He was also a regular member of the U-18 side, playing 27 games for them in the 15-16 season.

If reports and performances are anything to go by, then he seems to be on track to become the first Nigerian ever to play for United.

Academies have the tendency to use players in different positions to see where they are best suited at but Tosin seems best suited to play where he currently plays - that is in defensive midfield

He is fast, has a good engine and for someone with his vision, technique and passing ability, is surprisingly good at winning the ball. It will be interesting to see if becomes more like Kante i.e play a ball-winning and redistributing role, or move forward and become a box-to-box midfielder like Pogba.

Whatever the role, maybe if he maintains his performance levels, United may have a star for the future on their hands. Tosin is eligible to play for both Nigeria and England.

Have a look at the Nigerian in action:

#2 Callum Gribbin (Midfielder, 19):

Callum Gribbin(left)

Callum Gribbin was a top-level talent flying under the radar at the Manchester United academy before he came into the limelight after scoring a Messi-esque goal against, ironically, a Barcelona youth team, by dancing past 4 defenders and coolly slotting into the net.

Born in Salford, England, Callum has been in the United youth program for a long time and is being seen as the next big thing after Paul Scholes to come out of United's Academy.

He is a fix in United's reserve squad, playing in 14 games for them. Elite clubs like Man City and Liverpool have tried to woo him away from Old Trafford but he committed his future to United by signing a 4-year deal with them in 2015.

Gribbin is an attacking adept in playing at centre midfield, right midfield or slot in behind the striker. It is his sense of calm and self-confidence that allows him to execute some of the magical stuff he does on the field.

He has also been praised for his intelligence on the pitch, awareness of space and movement off the ball. His ability to beat players with pace and trickery make him one of the most watchable players in his age group.

He also has a wonderful set piece repertoire, a deadly free kick taker with an ability to bend it around the wall and into the top corner

He has been a part of England's youth set-up with appearances in their U16 and U17 squads.

Here is a look at what he's capable of:

#1 Tahith Chong (Forward, 17):

Tahith Chong(left)

It is next to impossible to miss Tahith Chong, thanks to his striking hairstyle and skills with the ball.

Born on a small Dutch-Caribbean island named Curacao, Chong started his career in the ever impressive youth academy of Feyenoord at the age of 10. As talented as he was, he soon started attracting attention from the big guns in Europe.

Feyenoord tried hard to keep their bright prospect with them for the future but with so many elite clubs circling Chong, it was only a matter of time before he moved.

On 27th July 2016, he joined the Red Devils from Feyenoord. He currently plays for their U-18 team alongside Angel Gomes.

Chong prefers the left wing position but can play at both the right wing and number 10 position. He has all the skills and tricks to survive at the highest level but it his maturity and athleticism that sets him apart from the others.

He has the ability to leave opponents in a daze with his pace and then find a teammate with pinpoint crossing ability. Chong is known to play with a natural flair and often uses creativity and passing skills to set up goals for his teammates.

He is a part of Netherland's youth program and plays for their U-17 team.

Have a look at the talented Dutchman: