Manchester United youngster Rafe McCormack has enjoyed a strong season at academy level. He has also had the benefit of mixing with the first team.
The link between Manchester United’s academy and the first team has generated 258 first team graduates, a number which keeps on rising.
Rafe McCormack is among the ‘class of 26‘ aiming to secure FA Youth Cup glory in the upcoming Final.
He has been speaking about his experiences of getting to train with the first team.
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Rafe McCormack impressed by Casemiro and Kobbie Mainoo
Rafe McCormack has explained how he was blown away by Casemiro and Kobbie Mainoo during his first team sessions.
Speaking to United media, McCormack explained: “When I have the opportunity to train with the first team, I’m looking at players like Kobbie [Mainoo] and Casemiro because I think, especially for Casemiro, he’s played there a lot of time. So I just tried to learn off them.
“When you go up there, it’s just everyone’s technique, everyone’s touch. Obviously, they’re much faster but it is just a whole another level. So you have to get used to it.
“But’s been amazing, really good experience. I was quite nervous to be fair but, they’re all really nice lads. They all give you a handshake at the start and stuff so it was nice for me and made me feel more at home.”
Mainoo was an academy graduate who won the FA Youth Cup in 2022.
In a recent interview, Mainoo revealed how he was once left shell-shocked by seeing Casemiro’s quality first-hand when he joined a first team session for the first time.
Now he is being mentioned in the same breath by McCormack. Perhaps the teenager will follow in Mainoo’s footsteps, and become an inspiration to others in the future.
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Rafe McCormack: Key facts
Rafe McCormack is a versatile player who has featured at centre-back and defensive midfield for Manchester United at under-18s level this season.
The 17-year-old has made 34 club appearances in all competitions this season, including seven appearances for the under-21s.
He has played in all five of United’s games in the FA Youth Cup. After a substitute appearance in the opening round, he has started in midfield in the following four.
The Bradford-born talent switched international allegiance from England under-16s to represent Ireland at under-19s level earlier this season.
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