If you asked someone to sum up Manchester United, it is likely that a youth production would be high on the list of what the Red Devils are all about.
One player Ole Gunnar Solskjaer highlighted who had the mentality needed to succeed as an academy player was Brandon Williams.
The English defender, for the first part of the 2019/2020 season, featured heavily at left-back and was a consistent performer for the Red Devils.
Since then, however, he hasn’t really had too many opportunities in the Manchester United first team and is now out on loan at Ipswich Town.
Another player shares similarities to the Englishman, Alvaro Fernandez. He, too, has been shipped out on loan after showing some promising signs.
United’s left-back conundrum
Both Williams and Fernandez may well have been useful options as United’s struggles at left-back have been laid bare for all to see.
After Fernandez helped his side Granada earn a draw against Barcelona, the question from United fans has been, should the teenager have been given more chances.
Williams, too, was influential as Ipswich continued their superb start to the season as he scored a superb goal from the halfway line after a marauding run.
United, instead of giving either or both of these defenders a chance whilst Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia were injured, decided to sign Sergio Reguilon from Tottenham Hotspur.
Reguilon has been decent so far for the Red Devils but he has always had injury issues in his career.
United’s transfer market mistakes
The blame lies at both United and indeed Erik ten Hag. The Dutchman had a chance to use the pair but instead gave the go-ahead for the Red Devils to loan the full-backs.
United decided to sign someone when they should have trusted their famed youth academy which has been pivotal for the club for decades.
James Garner, a former United academy graduate, is another example as the midfielder is currently shining for Everton in a position the Red Devils are seemingly looking to strengthen next summer.
The Englishman already has a goal and an assist to his name this season and could have been a useful squad option.
United, and Ten Hag, need to start believing in these academy players who show glimpses of their huge potential and certainly stop taking transfer market risks.
Hannibal Mejbri will, hopefully, be an early example of this mentality from the former Ajax boss changing.
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