It's no secret that Manchester United has a strong track record of developing homegrown players. In fact, United had a homegrown player in the matchday squad for 85 years straight this season, which is an incredible feat.
With players like Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho flourishing, the tradition will definitely continue for a very long time. However, manager Erik ten Hag may be considering other players from the development system to enhance his team this year as they aim to build on a successful season.
For departures, Old Trafford is anticipated to be busier than the airport. It's anticipated that players would leave Old Trafford quickly and, ideally, for a fee. Senior players Phil Jones and Axel Tuanzebe are among the five players already scheduled for release.
However, there have been rumors that more could come as ten Hag looks to strengthen his team. With Scott McTominay, Fred, Donny Van De Beek, Anthony Elanga, Anthony Martial, Brandon Williams (although some United supporters want him on a lifetime contract after his Instagram rant), Eric Bailly, Alex Telles, and captain Harry Maguire, no fewer than nine players from the first team are anticipated to leave Old Trafford.
Jadon Sancho's future is also being questioned, so United may have a lot of work to do in the window.
Three players whose loans ended were also lost by Manchester United. All three players—Jack Butland, Wout Weghorst, and Marcel Sabitzer—went back to their original clubs.
There is also the issue of David De Gea and Tom Heaton's contracts to think about.
Harry Kane, Mason Mount, and Min-Jae Kim are the major targets that appear to have any momentum so far, so it is obvious that ten Hag will be going to the transfer market. However, he would not be in a terrible position if he looked to the young that United has.
Garnacho has obviously been the standout player from the youth team because he was promoted right away, but ten Hag might be about to provide opportunities to a number of other youth team members.
Manchester United currently boasts players with exceptional talent and players who have performed well while out on loan. Players like Zidane Iqbal (who has been on the bench this season), Teden Mengi, Kobbie Mainoo, Charlie McNeil, Charlie Savage, and lvaro Fernández have received a lot of criticism for receiving it. All of them have excelled in the youth academy for a number of years, although Savage, McNeil, and Fernandez have all gotten first-team experience through loans.
Not to be forgotten, Manchester United has quality as well, including players like Amad Diallo and Facundo Pellistri. These two wingers have some natural potential and have made an impression while playing for United, and Diallo has had a fantastic year with Sunderland, despite the fact that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer brought them in.
Erik ten Hag only needs to think about it as an alternative. When older players like Andrei Kanchelskis, Steve Bruce, and Paul Parker all departed to be replaced by young products, Sir Alex Ferguson undertook an unexpected revamp with his class of 92.
However, given that it is anticipated that United won't have a war chest this summer, it might be a wise decision. Ten Hag may think about providing additional opportunities for youngsters in the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup, and League Cup this upcoming season, even though it is anticipated that there will be some funding for the more critical positions.
"I know the culture of Man United, I knew before. Of course, I was long employed in youth football," Ten Hag said after handling Kobbie Mainoo his debut in January. "Man United has a big history of youth development and to develop them and progress them into the first team."
"When I was at Ajax, it was the same as Man United in developing young players, giving young players opportunities to work on their personality if they feel that they are good people and they have a good life and they can contribute to society."
"But we want to develop players into the first team. So I think we are also in that perspective in a good way: Garnacho, Kobbie Mainoo is also on his way. There is a pathway to the first team but they have to deserve it."
A quick reminder that Manchester United gave Erik Ten Hag the total access to the Youth team, where he has been working with the Youth team managers at different levels as they aim to produce and promote talents into the senior team.