Manchester United need a lift right now and one way to do it is bringing the team’s talented academy players through into the first team.
There may not be a better opportunity all season than this weekend’s Premier League fixture against Norwich.
A number of factors make the Norwich game ideal for Ralf Rangnick to start integrating the under-23 stars, which include Argentina international Alejandro Garnacho.
Shola Shoretire, Charlie Savage, Zidane Iqbal, Hannibal, and Alvaro Fernandez are among the other youngsters who deserve the chance to step up to the first team and stake their claims.
Shake it up
This United side have had all season to show their credentials, and they are getting harder and harder to watch each week. It’s time for Ralf Rangnick to try something new.
We are not suggesting to start all six young players named above, but perhaps one or two, and including others on the bench, would be a great way to freshen things up.
Too many United players do not deserve to retain their places, and in midfield, injuries to Fred and Scott McTominay could dictate Savage, Iqbal and Hannibal are called upon.
There is absolutely nothing to gain from playing the likes of Paul Pogba, Jesse Lingard and Juan Mata, who are all set to leave on free transfers in June. United have to look forward.
Making big changes will make a statement rather than simply trotting out the same players who have been underwhelming us all season. At least this way they can pick up experience.
No under-23 game
One of the biggest reasons Saturday’s fixture is perfect is because there is no under-23 fixture this weekend.
Last week the under-23s played on Friday night, which did not exactly make it easy for any of these players to feature for the first team on the Saturday, even though Hannibal made the bench.
This week the under-23s are on a training camp in Monaco, playing a friendly today, and do not have a league fixture until the following Friday, April 22. Saturday’s game is ideal to mix one or a few of the youngsters.
Game not televised
The fixture against Norwich is at 3pm on Saturday and is not being televised in the UK. This takes away some of the pressure on the players, some of who could be making their first Premier League starts.
It is not a game where United have a lot riding on it, and free of pressure, the youngsters may thrive.
From a cynical perspective, United may also use the youngsters as a feelgood factor to try and deflect from upcoming supporter protests.
They deserve it
The under-23s are enjoying a strong season, sitting fourth in the Premier League 2. This is an improvement currently on last season’s seventh place standings.
Several of the young players mentioned, Iqbal, Hannibal and Garnacho have all been rewarded with senior international call-ups.
There has been strong progress in cup competitions too, with Garnacho scoring five times to lead United to the FA Youth Cup final.
The youngsters played at Old Trafford in front of a small crowd last week for the under-23s, beating Chelsea 1-0 with Garnacho netting the winner. He in particular is primed to take the next step.
‘Weak’ opposition
There is no better fixture to throw in the youngsters than at home to the 20th placed team in the league.
Norwich are no pushovers given United’s form right now, and a narrow 1-0 win away against them in December, but if not now, then ‘when?’.
United will not get a better opportunity than this weekend to play a handful of under-23s, and ultimately, the result barely matters at this point.
Data website 538 calculates United have just a 2% chance to finish in the top four, and a defeat would not actually matter very much. In fact it may be better.
Finishing in eighth place would mean avoiding Europa League and Conference League, so there is little to fear from taking a few risks.
A win over Norwich from United’s regular first team would prove little at this point anyway. Getting it done with a new nucleus of young players would be far more joyous.
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