All posts by h716a5.icu

Goal takes at a look at the bright young talents waiting in the wings at United, including some who have already made an impression on Jose Mourinho

Manchester United have a long history of producing players through their storied academy, with 3,912 consecutive first-team games stretching back to October 1937 featuring at least one former member of their youth system in the squad.

The likes of Marcus Rashford, Jesse Lingard and Scott McTominay have been regulars in the United senior ranks this term as that trend continues, but the prospects remain good for a longer-term presence as well thanks to the strides being made by some of their current academy stars.

Kieran McKenna's free-scoring under-18s have remained largely unaffected by the graduation of many of their better players to Ricky Sbragia's under-23 squad, and that in itself says much about the quality on display in the younger ranks.

Below,  Goal  looks at 10 of the greatest teenage talents in the Manchester United system.

GettyAidan Barlow

A goal-scoring attacking midfielder, Barlow is one of the most exciting young players on United’s books. He thrust himself into the spotlight with a hat-trick against Newcastle and two belters against Liverpool in the latter stages of a 2016-17 under-18 campaign in which he ended as top scorer and has netted nine more times this term. Few 18-year-olds exhibit such confidence with the ball at their feet.

GettyTahith Chong

After overcoming a serious knee injury, Chong has recently made the step up to the reserve ranks and has continued to sparkle. His strength, speed and rangy running style make for a wonderful vision on the ball and he also possesses fantastic footballing instinct, rarely switching off and often making opposition sides pay for lapses of concentration.

The Dutchman clearly has a fantastic future in the game, and his fearlessness makes him a great team-mate to have for those in the final third.

Read our in-depth profile here: Who is Tahith Chong? The Man Utd starlet closing in on first-team debut

GettyAngel Gomes

With two first-team substitute appearances already under his belt, the 17-year-old is well known to Manchester United fans as one of their stars of the future. His wonderful ability on the ball and priceless vision more than make up for his diminutive stature, and he has made a seamless rise to reserve team football this season.

No youngster is guaranteed to become a star at first-team level, but the England under-18 international appears destined to be a household name in the future.

Read our in-depth profile here: Who is Angel Gomes? The Man Utd wonderkid with a big future

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

GettyMason Greenwood

Some players spend their entire career attempting to master the ability to control a ball the way Greenwood can with his wand of a left foot. His rise in prominence in the under-18s this season has seen him net 15 goals in 17 appearances, including seven in his last four games as he has been employed as a centre-forward rather than his previous slot as a number 10.

Still just 16, he has plenty more time to learn his trade but hopes are high for him.

Read our in-depth profile here: Who is Mason Greenwood? Introducing the 16-year-old star turn of Man Utd's academy title win

2026 FIFA world Cup host city executive for Philadelphia, Meg Kane, spoke on the influence that Christian Pulisic has had on their preparation.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

USA to play host to 2026 World CupPulisic is key to success of tournamentPhiladelphia host city exec says USMNT captain has 'reinvigorated' soccerWHAT HAPPENED?

Ahead of the international break, where we will see the USMNT in action twice in the Concacaf Nations League, the official X, formerly Twitter, account of 2026 FIFA World Cup host city Philadelphia posted a video highlighting the importance of Pulisic to the city.

The USMNT captain was born in Hershey, Pennsylvania and has been an ainsirpariton for young footballers all across the USA since coming onto the scene as a teenager with Borussia Dortmund. For Pennsylvania specifically, though, Pulisic has turned the state into a soccer 'hotbed.'

AdvertisementGetty ImagesTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Pulisic is by far the biggest name on the USMNT, and it's likely fair to say he has world-wide recognition now, too. From winning the UEFA Champions League with Chelsea to now finding himself leading historic AC Milan's front-line at the ever-famous San Siro, Pulisic is a leader and a voice for American soccer.

Ahead of the 2026 World Cup, his home state of Pennsylvania is banking on him to be a voice for them too, as Philadelphia gears up for what may be the biggest sporting event the massive city has ever hosted: The 2026 FIFA World Cup.

WHAT HOST CITY EXEC MEG KANE SAID

"The central Pennsylvania area is a hotbed for soccer- and certainly – that is led by the incredible success of Christian Pulisic. His leadership of the U.S. men's national team has really reinvigorated soccer across the United States and has seen youth soccer really re-engaged as well," she said.

"It continues to grow, we're seeing soccer just skyrocket in its' popularity. The passion that soccer fans have is truly impressive, and we're really looking forward to harnessing that… this area of the state is absolutely going to be on fire, especially if Christian Pulisic leads the U.S. men's national team in 2026 as we expect."

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

GettyWHAT NEXT FOR PULISIC?

The USMNT star is now with the national team ahead of their November Concacaf Nations League matches against Trinidad and Tobago. Gregg Berhalter and Co. play the island nation on November 16 and 20.

Jose Mourinho will reportedly be freed to accept a supposed £104 million ($127m) contract offer from Saudi Arabia in 2024 as he is set to leave Roma.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

Portuguese coach into final year of current dealNo extension has been discussed in ItalyReady to join household names in the Middle EastWHAT HAPPENED?

The Portuguese tactician is working on a deal in the Italian capital that is due to expire at the end of the season. According to , no extension talks have taken place and a parting of ways is considered to be inevitable next summer.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Gianluca Di Marzio has said of the big decision being made on Mourinho’s future in Italy: “There are no negotiations ongoing, there have never been. So they’ll part company at the end of the deal in June.” Mourinho will walk away after three years at Stadio Olimpico.

DID YOU KNOW?

It is already being suggested that the former Chelsea, Real Madrid and Manchester United manager will make the Middle East his next port of call, with the 60-year-old admitting that he expects to head in that direction at some stage. Mourinho has said: “I am focused on Roma and I will give my all until the last day I am here. Nobody knows the future, but I am convinced I will coach in Saudi Arabia one day. I don’t know when, but I am quite sure it’s something I’ll surely do.”

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

GettyWHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

It has been reported that one ambitious club in the Middle East is ready to offer Mourinho a two-year contract worth £104m. If those terms are accepted, then one of the most decorated coaches in world football will join the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, Neymar and Sadio Mane in the Saudi Pro League.

Arsenal got pushed to the brink by Southampton and Saints' Lexi Lloyd-Smith was excited to swap shirts with her icon Vivianne Miedema.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

Arsenal beat Southampton 2-1 Miedema and Llyod-Smith swap shirtsLloyd-Smith unable to hide her excitementWHAT HAPPENED?

Arsenal and Southampton played their first competitive match on Thursday night, and both teams definitely lived up to the hype. The game ended 2-1 for the Women's Super League giants with an injury-time goal from Amanda Ilestedt. After the match, Lloyd-Smith and Miedema swapped jerseys, and the Saints' star was left jumping and celebrating in joy.

AdvertisementWATCH THE CLIP

Miedema responded to the tweet by Southampton with a photo of her in Lloyd-Smith's jersey.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

After Arsenal failed to clear the ball, Southampton did have a second opportunity to tie the score. Unfortunately for the Saints, Molly Pike took a rather tame shot, and Sabrina D'Angelo made an easy save. Although the outcome did not meet their expectations, Southampton will be delighted with the record attendance of 13,438 people.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

GettyWHAT NEXT?

Arsenal's Miedema may make her first start since returning from injury when the Gunners take on their fellow Londoners, West Ham on Sunday, November 26.

The Champions League sees Neymar, Mbappe and Cavani of PSG face Liverpool's Salah, Mane and Firmino – are they among the best triumvirates ever?

GettyMSN

Neymar may have broken up Barcelona's band of brothers last season when he fled to France after a shock €222 million move to Paris Saint-Germain, but the legend of the MSN partnership will live on.

With the brilliant Brazilian lining up in attack alongside Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez, the Blaugrana won the Champions League, Club World Cup and La Liga (twice), tearing defences to shreds with their incredible pace, skill and movement

AdvertisementGetty ImagesBBC

While MSN was forming at Camp Nou, Real Madrid saw their own attacking triumvirate become an institution within the Spanish capital.

Cristiano Ronaldo, who has since moved to Juventus, was the undisputed star of the show but the addition of Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema added more blistering pace, power and, of course, goals to a forward line that fired the Blancos to four Champions League triumphs in five years.

Getty ImagesBBC2

Leonardo Bonucci, Andrea Barzagli and Giorgio Chiellini formed a formidable defence in front of legendary goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon as Juventus set about re-establishing themselves as a major European force.

Together, the BBC provided the foundation on which the Bianconeri's resurgence was founded, helping the Old Lady win six successive Scudetti before Bonucci departed for AC Milan last year only to return this summer.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

GettyAC Milan's Dutch gold

The arrival of Marco van Basten and Ruud Gullit at San Siro in 1987 proved instrumental in AC Milan winning a first Serie A title in nine years, but the signing of Frank Rijkaard propelled the Rossoneri to glory on a world stage.

The Dutch trio became the stars of Arrigo Sacchi's wonderful team, helping the Italian outfit win two European Cups and two Club World Cup crowns.

With the Spain star having brought down the curtain on his time at Santiago Bernabeu, Goal breaks down the clubs he could join this summer

After 16 years, Sergio Ramos' time as a Real Madrid player is over, with the defender having bid a tearful farewell to life at Santiago Bernabeu on Thursday.

A four-time Champions League winner with the Blancos, Ramos' status as a legend of the club cannot be questioned, and he leaves as one of the greatest defenders of the modern era.

His career, though, is not over, and as one of the most competitive players of the past decade or so, surely Ramos wants to continue playing at the highest level possible.

With that in mind, Goal's correspondents from around the world have laid exactly why their club will – or won't – be looking to sign Ramos this summer…

Getty ImagesAC Milan

We all know that Paolo Maldini is Sergio Ramos' idol, and that the Spain star really admires AC Milan's history, but their chances of signing him this summer are very low because of his high salary demands.

Milan, too, are spending €28 million (£25m/$33m) to sign Fikayo Tomori, and they already have a defensive leader in Simon Kjaer.

They will be the starting duo for Stefano Pioli next season, so there is no room for Ramos.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesArsenal

Sergio Ramos has been, and remains, a wonderful defender and there is no doubt Arsenal could do with someone of his quality in the heart of the defence.

In a team that lacks leadership, he would add organisation, a will to win and be the type of figurehead who could lead the dressing room in north London.

But it is not, however, a move that is going to happen.

Financially, Arsenal simply would not be able to put a financial package together that could compete with the clubs across Europe who are looking at Ramos.

Mikel Arteta and technical director Edu, meanwhile, are focusing on bringing in young players this summer as part of their squad overhaul, with 23-year-old Brighton centre-back Ben White their priority defensive target.

So while the arrival of someone like Ramos would certainly improve Arsenal, on and off the pitch, this is one transfer race that the Gunners will not be joining.

GettyBarcelona

From an economic perspective, it is impossible for Barcelona to sign Ramos.

From a sporting perspective, it is impossible for Barcelona to sign Ramos.

In short, it is impossible for Barcelona to sign Ramos.

The man even confirmed it himself in his farwell press conference, saying: "As for Barcelona – impossible. You will never see Sergio Ramos in a Barcelona shirt."

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

Getty ImagesBayern Munich

Bayern have a good relationship with Real Madrid, good experiences with Spanish players in recent years (Xabi Alonso, Thiago Alcantara, Javi Martinez) and Ramos would definitely be a great transfer in terms of marketing and image… but it is very unlikely that he will come to Munich.

Bayern never showed any interest in Ramos as speculation over his future has grown in recent months, and have just signed Dayot Upamecano to bolster the centre of their defence.

They do not want to pay high salaries – that is why David Alaba and Jerome Boateng are leaving this summer – and with Julian Nagelsmann now in charge, the Bayern hierarchy want him to develop young players, like United States starlet Chris Richards. 

GOAL previews the continent’s stars expected to feature for their respective clubs around Europe this weekend

Getty ImagesPreview of Africans in Europe

The title race in England and Italy concludes this weekend with the continent’s stars central to their sides’ chances.

Riyad Mahrez could celebrate another Premier League win at the expense of Liverpool’s African contingent led by Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane, while Franck Kessie, leaving AC Milan at the end of this season, and Ismael Bennacer could end the ’s wait for a Scudetto.

AdvertisementGettyEdouard Mendy and Hakim Ziyech

Both players featured in Chelsea’s 1-1 draw with Leicester City on Thursday and could keep their spots when the Blues host relegated Watford on Sunday.

The Hornets will want to depart the division on a high having endured a torrid year back in the Premier League.

Thomas Tuchel hinted on Thursday that changes could be widespread at Stamford Bridge this weekend, so it remains to be seen if the goalkeeper and playmaker retain their spots.

GettyThe title race

Manchester City are favourites to end the season with a fourth Premier League title in five years, seeing Riyad Mahrez claim another win with the Citizens.

The winger missed a late penalty last week to complete a turnaround at West Ham United, but the 2-2 draw keeps the race in City’s hands.

Pep Guardiola’s men will be out to avoid any slip against Aston Villa knowing full well dropped points could be capitalised on by Liverpool.

It remains to be seen if Mohamed Salah features, having gone off injured in last week’s FA Cup win over Chelsea, but Sadio Mane is likely to return to the XI against Wolverhampton Wanderers.

A win for both sides mean the Reds will finish the campaign on 92 points, one behind their competitive rivals

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

GettyThe race for the final Champions League spot

Admittedly, Tottenham Hotspur are favourites to secure that final top four spot, but Mohamed Elneny and his Arsenal teammates could still take advantage of any underwhelming result from Spurs.

The Gunners host Everton who secured their league status for another year, so Frank Lampard’s men have little to play for on Sunday at the Emirates Stadium.

Success for Arsenal and a defeat for Antonio Conte’s men at Norwich City would put Elneny and his teammates in next year’s Champions League at their rivals’ expense.

Folarin Balogun went from hero to villain in his latest outing for Monaco, as he scored an exquisite goal before missing another penalty.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

United States international broke the deadlockSaw spot-kick saved by Lens keeper SambaDramatic winner from Minamino got him off the hookWHAT HAPPENED?

The United States international was included from the off in a Ligue 1 meeting with Lens and made the best possible start as he broke the deadlock inside 19 minutes. The 22-year-old displayed impressive strength, touch and composure when battling his way down the left wing and crashing the ball into the back of the net.

AdvertisementWATCH THE CLIPTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Ex-Liverpool star Takumi Minamino doubled Monaco’s lead on the half-hour mark, but they conceded within 60 seconds and blew their advantage entirely in the 77th minute as the home side battled back to draw level.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

DID YOU KNOW?

Balogun was given an opportunity to put Monaco back in front in the 82nd minute, but the USMNT star saw his tame spot-kick saved by the legs of former Nottingham Forest goalkeeper Brice Samba – who earned a reputation as something of a penalty-saving specialist during his time at the City Ground.

Australia Women survived a Deandra Dottin-led late charge from West Indies Women to keep their chances of completing a hat-trick of World T20 titles with a tight win in the first semi-final in Mirpur

The Report by Devashish Fuloria03-Apr-2014
Scorecard and ball-by-ball detailsAlyssa Healy’s counter lifted Australia in the their last five overs•ICCAustralia Women survived a Deandra Dottin-led late charge to remain in contention for a hat-trick of World T20 titles with a tight win over West Indies Women in the first semi-final in Mirpur. Dottin, in the company of Stacy-Ann King, kept West Indies interested in the chase of 141 with a 78-run stand that came in 8.4 overs, but her dismissal in the penultimate over continued her team’s trend of sliding against Australia in a World Cup knockout match. West Indies had been stung by Australia in the final of the ODI World Cup last year and in the semi-final of the World T20 in Sri Lanka before that.After the openers had provided West Indies with a solid platform, much depended on how Dottin, West Indies’ second-best batsman in the tournament behind Stafanie Taylor, would respond to an increasing required rate that had climbed to 9.3 at the end of 10 overs. Dottin opted for a relatively watchful approach rather than an all-out attack as her run-scoring load for lessened by an aggressive King at the other end. However, she didn’t let any loose delivery go unpunished – full-tosses were swatted away and shorter ones were pulled hard. She brought up the half-century of the partnership with a muscular hoick over long-on for six that also brought the equation down to 43 off 28 balls. But with 20 needed off 11, she smashed a low full-toss from Sarah Coyte straight into the hands of deep midwicket, effectively ending West Indies’ chances.West Indies’ highest total to win a T20I was 140 and Australia had much to thank Alyssa Healy – who normally opens the innings but batted at No. 7 – for pushing the target beyond that number. Australia experimented with Jess Jonassen as opener for the first time in her 22-match career but her surprise promotion brought some glaring communication errors between the openers to fore. Jonassen was lucky to not be run-out on the first ball she faced, and then survived another couple of poor calls and a dropped chance at mid-off, before being finally run-out for 5, in a partnership of 32.The side-effect of that faulty experiment however worked in Australia’s favour. Healy, pushed down the order, brought the energy back after West Indies had struck to remove three middle-order wickets within the space of 14 runs. Her first stroke, a late cut to the third-man boundary off Anisa Mohammed, was polar opposite of a switch-hit she attempted twice: the first time, she failed to make a contact but the ball ran away for four byes while the second time, Taylor, spotting the intentions early, didn’t release the ball at all. Misfiring switch-hits aside, Healy managed to ping the boundary four times in an unbeaten 21-ball 30 to lift Australia to 140, Australia’s lowest total batting first in this tournament.The foundation of the total was laid at the top end by opener Elyse Villani’s 35 and Meg Lanning, who continued her good form in the tournament. Villani opened her account with an emphatic front-foot pull in the first over bowled by Tremaine Smartt and was comfortable using either the sweep-shot or the lofted drive over mid-off once West Indies switched to spin from the second over onwards. One of those aerial drives also brought her innings to an end as it landed in the lap of long-off in Anisa’s second over.Lanning too was happy to use her feet to the spinners – an extra cover drive that landed just short of the boundary being her best shot – while her cuts and pulls brought her boundaries off seamer Shakera Selman. But her effortless innings was cut short when she chopped on a length delivery from Smartt. Australia’s mini-crisis at the fall of Jess Cameron to Anisa soon after was averted though as Healy put up 48 in 28 balls with Alex Blackwell.The West Indies openers couldn’t have asked for anything better than pace on a slow wicket. Unlike West Indies, Australia’s attack was replete with seamers and they provided the necessary fuel for the deflections to run to the boundary easily – the first three boundaries from Taylor and Kycia Knight came in the third-man region. The next two boundaries – flicks through square leg – ensured the scoreboard kept ticking despite the openers having to take any undue risks.Australia’s lucky break came in the eighth over when Taylor, trying to sneak an extra run off a misfield at cover, was found short by a flat throw from Sarah Coyte. The sudden dip in scoring brought the second wicket soon as Knight skipped out of the crease to a flighted delivery from Erin Osborne only to miss it and lose her middle stump. The bowlers ran out of ideas during the third-wicket stand between Dottin and King, but once the partnership was broken, they quickly closed all escape routes.

Derbyshire’s seamer Tim Groenewald chose the rearranged match against Leicestershire, postponed after the death of Tim Poynton’s father in a car accident, to announce that he would be leaving the county at the end of the season

Press Association08-Jun-2014
ScorecardTim Groenewald will leave Derbyshire at the end of the season•Getty ImagesNiall O’Brien top-scored with 89 as Leicestershire produced a spiritedfightback on day one of their Division Two match againstDerbyshire at Grace Road.Leicestershire found themselves 11 for 3 in just the third over but twocentury partnerships helped them to steady the ship and they eventually posted arespectable 311 all out.Mark Footitt recorded figures of 6 for 65 for the visitors before Derbyshirereached 12 without loss in reply.The home side got off to the worst possible start after winning the toss, withAngus Robson departing to the first ball of the day, his third golden duck ofthe campaign, as Marcus North took a catch off Footitt at gully.Tony Palladino trapped Greg Smith lbw for four in the next over and whenFootitt claimed his second wicket of the day with Ramnaresh Sarwan (five)finding Paul Borrington at short leg, Leicestershire were in trouble.Josh Cobb and Ned Eckersley then put on 100 for the fourth wicket as the hostsrebuilt either side of lunch.Cobb brought up his 50 with a four off Footitt but was gone two balls later,Scott Elstone taking the catch at point.Eckersley (44) was soon trapped lbw by Palladino to leave Leicestershire 113for 5 but Rob Taylor added 40 before Palladino had his third, Alex Hughesclaiming a catch at cover.That brought Ben Raine to the crease and together he and O’Brien added 118 tobring some respectability to the scorecard.O’Brien brought up his 50 off 65 balls before tea and Raine joined him afterthe interval, taking 112 balls to reach the mark.Derbyshire took the new ball and the result was almost instantaneous with Northand Foottit combining again to remove O’Brien when the Irishman holed out tothird man.There was not much wag in the Leicestershire tail and James Sykes went withouttroubling the scorers before Raine (55) and Alex Wyatt (six) soon followed.Tom Taylor recorded figures of 0 for 50 from his 13 overs after beingdrafted in on debut to replace Tim Groenewald who announced earlier on Sunday hewould be leaving the county.Stephen Moore (10 not out) and Borrington (two not out) then saw the visitorsthrough to the close unscathed.This match had originally been scheduled to be the season opener for both clubsbut was postponed due to the tragic death of Keith Poynton, father of Derbyshirewicketkeeper Tom, in a car accident on April 4.