Two Manchester United players nominated for prestigious Golden Boy award

Manchester United youngsters Alejandro Garnaho and Kobbie Mainoo are in contention to win the Golden Boy award.

The accolade is given to Europe's brightest Under-21 talent during the calendar year and, after being won by Rafael van der Vaart in its first ceremony in 2003, has an illustrious roll of honour.

Wayne Rooney, Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe have all won the award and Garnacho and Mainoo have been ranked inside the top 10 of the initial shortlist. That list will be reduced in October and the award handed out a month later with Barcelona's Lamine Yamal currently the favourite.

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The Golden Boy rankings are compiled using an algorithm based on performances and minutes played and players are only eligible to qualify if they were born after January 1, 2004.

Garnacho and Mainoo are in the mix after enjoying excellent seasons for United. The pair have broken into the United first-team from the academy and were responsible for the goals in the 2-1 victory against Manchester City in the FA Cup final. The initial Golden Boy rankings have Garnacho sitting in third position, behind Yamal and Benfica's Joao Neves while Mainoo is seventh.

Golden Boy founder Massimo Franchi said: "The rankings are based on performances in the biggest games. We have seen both Mainoo and [Adam] Wharton, very impressive and potentially in England's squad for the Euros. Maybe they can do what Bellingham did last year."

Garnacho made 38 successive starts for United last season and relocated to the right wing, finishing the campaign with a contribution of 10 goals and five assists,

Mainoo's breakthrough was delayed by the ankle injury sustained in pre-season but he made up for lost time and is expected to make the England squad for Euro 2024.

List of Golden Boy Award winners since 2010:

• 2023 - Jude Bellingham - Real Madrid

• 2022 - Gavi - Barcelona

• 2021- Pedri - Barcelona

• 2020 - Erling Haaland - Borussia Dortmund

• 2019 - Joao Felfix - Benfica/Atletico Madrid

• 2018 - Matthijs de Ligt - Ajax

• 2017 - Kylian Mbappe - Monaco/PSG

• 2016 - Renato Sanches - Benfica/Bayern

• 2015 - Anthony Martial - Monaco/United

• 2014 - Raheem Sterling - Liverpool

• 2013 - Paul Pogba - Juventus

• 2012 - Isco - Malaga

• 2011 - Mario Gotze -Borussia Dortmund

• 2010 - Mario Balotelli - AC Milan/City