Fan View: Ranking Manchester United’s top 5 most promising minors

By Karen H Fawaz, Manchester United Blogger

Manchester United’s academy is the gift that keeps on giving. Year after year, it’s showing us again why it’s rated as one of the best in the world by providing the first team with class players such as the likes of Pogba, Lingard and Rashford. Many youngsters, whether they are first teamers or part of the academy, are seen as potential future stars and are expected to make a breakthrough (if it hasn’t already happened) very soon. I’m ranking down Manchester United’s five most promising minors across all age categories.

5. Indy Boonen

Birthday: 04 Jan 1999

Birthplace: Geel/Belgium

Age category: Under-18

International: Belgium NT Under-17

Fast, strong and skilled, Indy Boonen (or ‘The Next Giggs’ as United fans label him) is one to watch. The Belgian was just 16-years-old when he left his home nation to join the Red Devils’ academy coming from Gent.

After spending most of the 2015/16 season on the bench, Boonen finally got handed an opportunity to prove himself by new manager Kieran McKenna which helped him earn a regular spot in the youth Red’s starting lineup. Indy became later on the heart of United’s attack, playing as a number 10 in most of the club’s U-18 games.

Indy Boonen is surely on the right track and his dream of playing for the first team might happen earlier than expected.

4. Axel Tuanzebe

Birthplace: 14 November 1997

Birthplace: Bunia, DR Congo

Age Category: First Team/ reserves

International: England NT Under-20

Manchester United Young Player Of The Year winner, former U-18 Captain and 2015/16 regular U-21. Alex Tuanzebe’s achievements that have been hinting at a very bright future for the Englishman, were rewarded by Jose Mourinho who promoted the young talent as soon as the Portuguese took over the club this July.

Alex is yet to make to make his senior competitive debut for Manchester United, but he appeared as a substitute on pre-season tour versus Wigan Athletic. Despite playing only 13 minutes at the DW Stadium, Jose was pleased with teenager as he asserted that he sees a lot of potential in Tuanzebe.

3. Timothy Fosu-Mensah

Birthplace: 02 January 1998

Birthplace: Amsterdam/Holland

Age Category: First Team

International: Holland NT Under-20

Fosu-Mensah had already won renown during his time under former manager Louis Van Gaal with the first team and is not wasting any opportunity to keep justifying his position with the senior squad. The chances Timothy receives are very frequent due to his ability to play in multiple positions. His versatility allows him to play at full back on both flanks, in midfield and at centre back. The Dutchman can come in handy for Mourinho during Injury Crisis and fixture pile-ups.

The Under-21 international recently signed a new contract with United, in what could be the start of something special for the youngster. Mourinho reasons that Fosu-Mensah can become a star and the club’s latest sensation.

2. Angel Gomes

Birthdate: 31 August 2000

Birthplace: London

Age Category: Under-18

International: England Under-17 (Captain)

Angel Gomes is considered one of the club’s brightest talents. Angel was as young as 14 when he made his debut for United’s Under-18. Two years later, he became a very popular youngster in England and drought FC Barcelona’s interest. A combination of raw talent and hard work made the London-born player superior to those who belong to the same age category as him. At the age of 15 years and 11 months, Gomes became the youngest player to score a hat-trick for Manchester United at Academy level in almost 15 years.

Angel Gomes looks like a complete forward. His outstanding recent displays placed the player on top of the U18 goalscoring charts and helped his team become table toppers this weekend.

1. Marcus Rashford

Birthdate: 31 October 1997

Birthplace: Manchester

Age Category: First Team

International: England NT senior squad

Manchester United’s mid-2016 season injury crisis which saw Anthony Martial, Wayne Rooney and Micheal Keane getting sidelined was a blessing in disguise for the Red Devils, who ended up discovering a precious gem at their disposition on a decisive European night at Old Trafford. Marcus came a long way since and is currently the top-scoring englishman in 2016, so far. Rashford became a figure that needs no introduction. The local boy’s pace, dribbling ability and agility allows him to play anywhere in United’s attack, but it’s his sensational goalscoring ability that was, and still is, his claim to fame.

Who do you think should have made the list?