Your account has now been updated to 60,000 char articles. Just ignore the 5,000 warning. You can edit this article with both parts if you like.

Thanks Admin, great job.

Mate, do my English exam tomorrow?

@Admin1 - Can anyone request an increase in char? If so can I? Lost count of how many times I've had to chop parts out, which is obviously a good thing a lot of the time, but sometimes it can be frustrating if you are doing something like the above.

BTW Nice one Red Side, good to see a proper well thought out article.

The Wonderfully Sweet Little Pea - That should be you at 60,000 chars now too.

Fantastic article.

Nice read Red, you obviously keep in touch with our reserves. I, personally am most excited about Petrucci, can't wait to see if he breaks into the first team next season.

Nice article, I too am most excited by Petrucci, really hope he gets given a chance next season.

Much appreciated Red Side, 5 from me.

I don't get to watch the reserves and academy very often, but try to keep up to date with match reports and learn who to watch out for in the future and what type of player they are.

One thing I'd like to add about Pogba in his first team appearances. It was clear for all to see that his confidence and composure on these occasions grew with each game. Against Leeds, he seemed a little nervous - always choosing the simple pass and concentrating more on keeping possession than making things happen (he may have been told to do this). He had clearly had visions the night before of scoring one of his screamers, and attempted a couple on the day - unfortunately they were both poor efforts. He played well against Aldershot, making some fantastic swerved long passes and kept the ball well. Against Crystal Palace, he ende up almost at CB so couldn't do a lot, but passed the ball well and had one terrific effort on goal a couple of minutes after Ambrose's screamer. As you've said, his cameo against Stoke was very impressive, a lot of nice turns, making things happen on the pitch. He may not have been great for the reserves this year, but I think mentally he has made huge strides with regards to first team action. Hopefully he'll stay at the club - he said in an interview a while back that he wants to go on to become a United great.

Looking forward to following all of these guys' progression - I'd like to see more of Petrucci and Tunnicliffe!

Ugh. I should have split that into two paragraphs.

I would say that I dont agree at all with the theory that Pogba wants to go to Juventus because he's frustrated with a lack of first team action and thinks he'll get regularly action for the Italian Champions.

He'll have much more competition there given the respective midfields, and will be in a new league and new country. The idea that this teenage with hardly any experience will suddenly be playing every week just doesnt hold water.

In any case I think the acquisition of Powell (if it's official), which would been part funded by the money we'd get in compensation for Pogba, is very exciting IMO. He's really looked fantastic on both occasions I saw him this season, and I've heard so much about his performances throughout the year from both friends and in print.

Let's face it if Pogba went on loan to e.g. Crewe and did what Powell has done this year, winning their young and senior player of the year, along with goal of the season, and a lot of goals on top throughout the season, everyone would be going crazy. £4m is a an absolute bargain for this kid IMO if it's true.

Thanks Admin1

I haven't seen anything of Powell other than that wondergoal. But playing professional football at 16 (obviously he's older now), getting the reviews and rewards he has been getting along with a reported £4m bid (which is actually a lot of money in football - certainly not peanuts) says a lot.

MyNaniCould’veScoredThat - SoCouldArab (U13438)

You're right about him being nervous during his first couple of appearances and opting to play safe. When Pogba came on against Stoke there was absolutely no sign of nerves and I'm sure playing in those games at the start of the season had a lot to do with that.

The Wonderfully Sweet Little Pea (U6951)

I'd never even heard of this kid Powell before last night. If he's as good as made out to be, then we could've signed a real gem if it's true. It'll be interesting to see what the managers' plans for him would be next season. Personally I think he'll be loaned out, possibly back to Crewe if they get promoted. I'll have to watch the League Two Play-Off's now.

The Red Side - Any thoughts on Adnan Januzaj or Mats Dæhli? Have you seen much of them? These two outside the group you mention seem like ones to keep an eye on. I've seen more of Dæhli, who looks v good, but would love to hear a more informed view, especially about Januzaj.

Have seen next to nothing of Januzaj but Mats Daehli had a great season for the academy and was voted the Academy Player Of The Year and I'm sure he'll be one of the players from the team that played Chelsea in the FA Youth Cup who'll make the step up to the reserves so I'm looking forward to that.

I also like the look of Ben Pearson and obviously Jack Barmby.

comment by The Red Side™ (U11275)
posted 30 seconds ago

I'd never even heard of this kid Powell before last night. If he's as good as made out to be, then we could've signed a real gem if it's true. It'll be interesting to see what the managers' plans for him would be next season. Personally I think he'll be loaned out, possibly back to Crewe if they get promoted. I'll have to watch the League Two Play-Off's now.
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He was a class above even at his age in the 2 games I saw. I've got quite a few mates who are season ticket holders for clubs in that league, and my mates were raving about him after seeing him as well. Just one of those players who really looks the part.

I can't see how the club can go wrong for just 4m. In fact I'm still surprised if that really is the total fee. It must surely have add-ons for international caps etc. I read one comment earlier from someone saying we'd been ripped off just because he's coming from the lower leagues, which is total nonsense.

Where do they think Smalling came from at the same age, and he was at an even lower level before Fulham.

I've not seen Januzaj play myself but my dad say him play and said he was brilliant, trust me this is very high praise as he doesn't dish it out lightly.

I've been saying to anyone who will listen for some time now... Petrucci is the best player of this batch.. Not Pogba or Ravel.

He is just such a clever, skillful player... Really hope he gets some game time, next season.

I read one comment earlier from someone saying we'd been ripped off just because he's coming from the lower leagues, which is total nonsense.

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What people have to realise is that we're not paying £4 million for a League Two player, we're paying £4 million for his potential. People at Crewe are saying he's the best player they've ever produced and will be internationally recognised before the 2014 World Cup which I think is going a bit OTT but it shows how highly he's rated.

Really looking forward to seeing a few of these players given a chance in the coming seasons.

Good article.

From what I've read, Dæhli, Januzaj, Pearson and Barmby are the guys to watch out for in our academy team (there's one other really young one that made a couple of impressive appearances - his name escapes me).

Add to that Pereira, the reserves mentioned in the OP, possibly Powell and the young players in the first team squad - we have clearly been working towards this for years!

I don't expect them all to make it, but there is a lot of potential there.

(there's one other really young one that made a couple of impressive appearances - his name escapes me).

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Do you know what position he plays?

I think he was an attacking midfielder. Didn't actually see the game (it was back in January I think), but read a match report and people were raving about him after his cameo. Really young lad, 15 or 16.

You may think I'm exaggerating but from the 20 minute cameo I saw of school boy Josh Harrop in the swansea win, I'm convinced he will become a Manchester United player.

Also Janujaz, Daehli and Barmby are our most talented of youngsters and I really like Pearson.