Manchester United take on Wolves in the semi-finals of the FA Youth Cup tonight at Old Trafford and the crowd is expected to be around 10,000.
The match represents an opportunity for Travis Binnion’s players to show what they can do in one of the biggest matches of their fledgling careers.
Speaking to the Athletic ahead of the game, Binnion picked out some Red Devils wonderkids to watch, who could have a big future in the world of football.
He also named some first team stars who take an active interest in the fortunes of the academy starlets, although there are doubts to varying degrees about all of their futures.
“Fans gravitate towards attacking players. They’re the ones who win games and get headlines at any level,” he said.
“The front four have been exceptional throughout the competition, scoring goals and combining well together. Sam Mather, Charlie McNeil, Isak Hansen-Aaroen and Alejandro Garnacho have been really good.
“It’s an attacking side but our two central midfielders, Dan Gore and Kobbie Mainoo, were both attackers not too long ago. The defenders are good footballers, as is the goalkeeper Radek Vitek, he’s a high-potential player.”
“A lot of the first-team lads are doing coaching badges and they come back and take sessions with the academy. Harry Maguire, Marcus Rashford, Jesse Lingard, Juan Mata and Lee Grant show regular interest in the younger players.”
United have won the FA Youth Cup more than any other club but Chelsea are now on nine and closing in on the Old Trafford tally of ten.
Over a decade has now passed since United’s 2011 FA Youth Cup victory over Sheffield United at Old Trafford.
Paul McGuinness’s Under-18s defeated the Blades 4-1 at Old Trafford to seal a 6-3 aggregate victory, following an entertaining 2-2 draw at Bramall Lane.
Maguire was actually playing for the Blades that night, but he was forced off early with a head injury against a United side featuring Paul Pogba and Lingard.
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