Manchester United always find success with academy… who could Jose Mourinho call upon?
SUCCESSFUL Manchester United sides have always been built around academy products.
The tragic Busby Babes were the club’s first great sides in the 1950s — while Sir Alex Ferguson won the Treble with the famous ‘Class of 92’.
David Beckham, Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs, Nicky Butt, Gary and Phil Neville and Co. became affectionately known as ‘Fergie’s Fledglings’.
And one of the fiercest criticisms incoming boss Jose Mourinho has had to endure is his apparent reluctance to promote from within.
History will tell you that success at Old Trafford comes from giving youth a chance.
Are there any more United youngsters can form the next dynasty?
SunSport looks at five kids who could make up ‘Jose’s Juveniles’.
Marcus Rashford, 18
Burst onto the scene when he was called in following an injury to Anthony Martial in the warm up for the Europa League last-32 second leg against FC Midtjylland.
Rashford scored two as United won 5-1 to storm into the next round.
He started the next game — at Old Trafford against Arsenal — and netted another brace in a 3-2 victory.
Rashford went onto score the only goal in the Manchester derby and a stunning strike against West Ham in the FA Cup, before starting — and winning — the final.
His stellar breakthrough saw him make England’s 23-man squad for Euro 2016.
The striker — in keeping with tradition — scored on his debut, but barely featured as Roy Hodgson’s men disappointed in France.
Rashford has been tipped for a key role under Mourinho.
Timothy Fosu-Mensah, 18
Unlike Rashord, the young Dutchman had been expected to challenge for a first team spot.
Fosu-Mensah has represented Holland at Under-15, Under-16, Under-17 and Under-19 level.
He’s burly, powerful and effective in a variety of positions across the backline or in midfield.
Made his debut in Rashford’s second game — against Arsenal — before coming to the fore with diligent defending against the impressive Romelu Lukaku during a 1-0 victory over Everton.
Fosu-Mensah’s build and pace are in keeping with the type of defender Mourinho likes.
Should feature under the new boss — possibly at right-back.
Cameron Borthwick-Jackson, 19
The left-back was regular in the Under-18s in 2014-15 — and made his Under-21s debut at 16.
Replaced Marcos Rojo for his first-team debut in a match against West Brom in November.
He is highly thought of at Old Trafford, but may find his senior chances with limited with Luke Shaw — who is only 21 himself — returning from a long-term injury.
Won the Under-21s Player of the Year award.
Axel Tuanzebe, 18
Mourinho has already made his admiration for defender known.
Tuanzebe was born in the Democratic Republic of Congo but has a dual British nationality.
He has been tipped for greatness and was the first first-year scholar to be named as reserve team captain since Gary Neville.
Is likely to play in this weekend’s friendly against Wigan.
Tuanzebe likes the responsibility of captain, revealing: “I like bossing people around.”
He was named Under-21s Player of the Year in 2015.
RoShaun Williams, 17
The young central defender broke Olympic gold medallist Darren Campbell’s 100-metre record at Ashton-upon-Mersey school which had stood for 25 years — with a time of 10.99.
Another who has been hotly tipped.
He was named in the squad for Europa League home leg against Liverpool — and could get his opportunity next season.
Williams is a powerful, rapid centre-half in the Mourinho mould.
His local side, Fletcher Moss, are also responsible for the production of Rashford and Borthwick-Jackson.
The club’s chairman said: "Who needs Pogba when you've got RoShaun?"
Imagine having both.
And here are three in last chance saloon...
Andreas Pereira, 20
Time is running out for the young Brazilian.
Mourinho’s predecessor, Louis van Gaal, was not afraid to give youth a chance — but always stopped short of turning to Pereira.
He has made just 11 appearances in two seasons since joining from PSV Eindhoven.
Pereira is still very highly-rated, but it will be difficult to see him being given his chance following the arrivals of Henrikh Mkyhtaryan and Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
Adnan Januazj, 21
Just what happened to him?
Januzaj burst onto the scene with a two-goal salvo to beat Sunderland 2-1 in 2013 on his first start.
But has done little of note since.
Failed to break into the team under Van Gaal and was shipped out on loan to Borussia Dortmund last season.
However, he struggled to make an impact in Germany and the deal was cut short.
Can’t get into the Belgium team and is reportedly exploring a Fifa loophole which will allow him to represent Kosovo at international level.
There is clearly talent there, but Januzaj needs to show the mental strength required to succeed at Old Trafford.
James Wilson, 20
Another who has stagnated.
It was Wilson’s potential which convinced Van Gaal to sell the likes of Danny Welbeck and Javier Hernandez, but he has failed to produce enough.
He scored two on his debut and added another in the Dutchman’s first season.
Spent the last campaign at Brighton and scored five goals.
Wilson also netted on his only England Under-21s appearance.
May struggle to get his chance under Mourinho, and will need to impress if called upon.