Manchester United vs Manchester City: 5 youngsters to look out for in the Manchester Derby

We can see a lot of exciting young talent take to the field in the Manchester Derby tonight
We can see a lot of exciting young talent take to the field in the Manchester Derby tonight

Manchester United host their local rivals Manchester City in the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-finals, with both teams eying their first silverware of the season.

It will be exactly one month since Ole Gunnar Solskjaer outsmarted Pep Guardiola to get a convincing win for his side in the Premier League at the Etihad Stadium. The Red Devils would hope for a similar result on Tuesday night while Guardiola must have a solid game plan ready following last month’s derby defeat.

Guardiola has looked to field a youthful side in this season’s Carabao Cup so far, while Solskjaer has had to rely on a lot of his youngsters in the 2019-20 campaign given the injury-laden status of his squad.

In a way, both managers are expected to use their rich and highly talented pool of younger players. A semi-final of a cup competition pushes everyone to lift their standards and these are the games where a young player often ends up making a huge impression and even cement a place in the starting eleven.

Look what Mason Greenwood has been able to do this season for Manchester United. Despite being only 18-years-old, he has been the biggest game-changer for his team this season.

Today we are looking at the 5 youngsters you should look out for as Manchester City take on Manchester United in the first leg of this year’s Carabao Cup semi-final.


#5. Angel Gomes (Manchester United)

AZ Alkmaar v Manchester United: Group L - UEFA Europa League
AZ Alkmaar v Manchester United: Group L - UEFA Europa League

Manchester United’s academy is blessed with several youngsters who are expected to go on and achieve greater things, one of those is Angel Gomes. However, Gomes may not stay at Old Trafford beyond this season.

The 19-year-old playmaker has found it tough to break into Solskajer’s team this season and is seeking a move away from Man United. His low centre of gravity makes him very difficult to mark and Gomes is very good at turning away from defenders and leaving them for dead.

Man United are struggling to find a creative #10 in their team with Paul Pogba out injured and Juan Mata lacking pace and intensive pressing. With the Carabao Cup semi-final on the horizon, it is expected that Gomes may get one final chance to prove his worth to Solskjaer with a strong display against Manchester City.

The 19-year-old is good enough to be the game-changer or even a match-winner for Manchester United but only time will tell if he can do that.

#4. Eric Garcia (Manchester City)

Wolverhampton Wanderers v Manchester City - Premier League
Wolverhampton Wanderers v Manchester City - Premier League

Even just at the age of 18, Eric Garcia is hailed as one of the sharpest young minds to emerge from the City academy. Manager Pep Guardiola has openly spoken about his admiration for Garcia and has predicted a remarkable future ahead for the teenager.

What sets Garcia apart from the other teenagers is his keen interest to know the smallest of details about the game. It was Garcia who spotted a slight change in Watford’s training regime when the two teams met in September 2019 and Guardiola tweaked his team to counter that and the Cityzens won that game 8-0.

Garcia may be 18 but he has already started his football coaching badges to understand the game better. He may be slightly built for a central defender but Eric Garcia is indeed one for the players you will see make huge strides in coming seasons.

City are eager to tie down the Spanish Under-21 star to a long-term deal and are positive about the ongoing contract negotiations so far.

Garcia is expected to start alongside Fernandinho in the first leg of Carabao Cup semi-final tie against United and continue his rapid development under the keen eyes of Guardiola.

#3. Brandon Williams (Manchester United)

Manchester United v Brighton & Hove Albion - Premier League
Manchester United v Brighton & Hove Albion - Premier League

A large section of Manchester United fans are convinced that Brandon Williams is the best left-back in Red Devils’ squad at the moment. Williams has brought a freshness to United’s full-back play this season.

For quite some time now, Ashley Young, Antonio Valencia, and Luke Shaw have flattered to deceive the Man United fans with their subdued attacking intent. However, Williams is quite the opposite.

He never stops running in the entire game and has great positional awareness. He is quick, he loves to tackle hard and is always ready to track back when the team is in danger.

However, the best part about his game is the energy he brings to the attacking side of things. He has pace to burn and always makes overlapping runs to support Marcus Rashford.

Williams and Rashford have formed a strong partnership on the left-wing for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side, and it is hardly a surprise to know that every time Williams has played for United this season (8), the Red Devils have never lost a game.

Williams started the game for United against Wolverhampton in the FA Cup third round on Saturday so we may not see Williams start against City, but he will indeed play some part in Tuesday’s Manchester Derby.

#2. Phil Foden (Manchester City)

Manchester City v Port Vale - FA Cup Third Round
Manchester City v Port Vale - FA Cup Third Round

Manchester City’s blue-eyed boy Phil Foden will indeed start for Pep Guardiola against United and continue his progression under the Spanish manager. Guardiola has always hailed Foden’s potential and spoken very highly about the intelligence and natural ability the youngster possesses.

Foden has an uncanny eye to find space on the pitch and is very good at arriving late in the box. Although his game time is limited in a star-studded City squad, whenever Foden plays, he seems certain to either score or create a goal.

Cup competitions are where Foden gets most of his chances and a game like the Manchester Derby is the ideal platform for the Stockport teenager to showcase why he is hailed as the next best thing in England.

Foden is likely to partner Kevin De Bruyne and Rodri in midfield, acting as the bridge between the forwards and Man City’s midfield. Foden’s nimble feet and quick interchanging of passes will be a handful for United’s defence to deal with.

#1. Mason Greenwood (Manchester United)

Manchester United v Newcastle United - Premier League
Manchester United v Newcastle United - Premier League

Mason Greenwood is the most talked about teenager in all of England right now, let alone Manchester. As stated earlier, the 18-year-old has been Solskjaer’s go-to man this season whenever his team has needed a desperate goal.

Greenwood has scored 7 times this season, including 3 in the Premier League. The England Under-21 star is hailed as a younger version of Robin van Persie due to his impeccable finishing skills and the striking resemblance he bears to van Persie with respect to his body language and movement on the pitch.

Greenwood is equally dangerous on both his feet and is adept at playing on the wings or centrally. The biggest positive about Greenwood is his fearlessness in the big matches and his self-confidence to change the game.

He is always running at his opposing full-back and is never afraid to take a shot from distance.

At 18, Greenwood is already hailed as a once in a generation talent and everyone at the club is convinced of a great future for him. Tuesday night could be another feather in Greenwood’s cap as he looks certain to start in the front three for Solskjaer’s team.

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Edited by Zaid Khan