https://www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.bbc.co.uk/sport/amp/football/43745108 May be of interest to some. I like Nicky Butt and think he talks an awful lot of sense. There are certain parallels with our U23s. Seems like this desire to revamp reserve football hasn’t worked. When you watch most U23 matches you have two philosophies - clubs who are looking to develop talent for the first team, and clubs who are just looking to win U23s matches. We seem to fall into the development category. We never have settled teams, our most promising 2 or 3 youngsters go out on loan, and we often have 3 or 4 trialists. It’s a very unsettled environment. Wonder if Nicky Butt is looking to break into senior coaching. If we are looking for outside punts he would certainly come with a lot of connections and know how.
This is the problem with the national team youth setup as well. We select players who are statistical outliers in terms of pace/strength because it's an easy advantage. We ignore the fact that these players are poor tactically or technically because being big and fast is enough at that age. We focus on the kids who will likely never be good enough at full international level and ignore the ones who have the true top level potential. A youth setup shouldn't be judged by its own results, but by the results of the senior team 5+ years later.
Agree, and luckily we implemented some major changes at youth level to help with those issues and I think we’re starting to see green shoots of improvement at youth level. The transition between youth and first team though is the next barrier. The premier league is a major hurdle for some of these young kids stepping up, and also clubs “hoarding” and hoovering up talent. Particularly interesting was the comment around the number of players wanting to be “number 10s”. Imagine what Butt would think on the first day when he met Mallan, Moncur, Mowatt, McGeehan & Knasmullner.....
Nicky Butt was a class player and underated because of the players he was surrounded by. He did a splendid job to allow those superstars he played with like Ronaldo, Beckham etc to do their thing. Every team needs a Nicky Butt. I would be happy for him to end up at Oakwell. Probably as a number two first.
Some good games against strong reserve teams in years gone by. Seen Bryan Robson, Ian Rush (I think, possibly Aldridge) among others lining up against Barnsley reserves. Good honest football, players far more equipped for first team football.
It's good when the unsung hero gets some credit. All our successful teams have had similar. Scowen made it easier for flair players like Hourihane and Hammill. Shez did the same for Redders and Clint. Same with McPhail for Howard and Disco.
Enjoyed that! "One of Manchester United's proudest boasts is that at least one homegrown player has been in every first-team squad named since 1937" - That's some achievement!
