United Records FA Youth Cup Win

Was glad that I couldn't sleep tonight. I managed to catch the second leg of FA Youth Cup finals between United and Sheffield United (first leg ended 2-2).

Bearing in mind that it's really very very young men playing, I wasn't expecting much, just keeping an eye for players that might make the grade up to the senior team. At the end of the final whistle, I was pleasantly surprised. I don't know many of the players, except those that have played in the reserve team earlier in the season when the games were available on my side of the globe. Players like Will Keane, John Cofie, Paul Progba and Ravel Morrison were the names I knew and heard of.

Was a little disappointed that Cofie didn't start but apparently he just returned from a lengthy injury and featured only in injury time. From what I've seen earlier in the season, he's the most likely to make the jump into the first team. He has all the ingredients to make it as a star striker. Not to mention he's body is filled out and could contend against the bigger, tougher defenders the Premiership has to offer, and at the tender age of 18, there's plenty of room to grow. Very Drogba-like in stature (disclaimer: I also said the same about Manucho, and we all knew what happened to him).

The other three mentioned players all started and played promising roles in the 4-1 victory against the Blades. Morrison and Keane both scored twice. In a very poor and nervy first half, Morrison stood out. He scored the first goal of the game, calmly shooting when all around him, everyone was panicking.

Keane scored the second from the spot after a Blades defender handled Morrison's cross.

The second half was a complete turn around. The two goals in the first half seemed to have calmed the nerves of the lads and we played some outstanding football. The two wingers Gyliano van Velzen and Jesse Lingard had good contributions and definitely caught the eye.

Progba was a tad disappointing. Because of his controversial move from the French Ligue 2, it made him someone to take special note of. From what I saw, he oozes with oodles of talent. Great individual skill and range of passing, however his work-rate seemed very Berbatov. Playing as a central midfielder, I was expecting movement, but when the ball is not at his feet, he seems very static. He doesn't seem to move well without the ball to make space for his teammates to find him. Don't know if he has the mental attitude to take it up to another level.

Ravel Morrison scored United's third with a superb individual effort to bring the score up to 3-0. Then went on to showboat alittle and was caught in possession, indirectly setting the Blades up for a consolation goal. Up till then, he was undoubtedly the player of the game, by a wide margin.

Larnell Cole was given a run when he replaced Lingard and his impact was immense. Sheffield United couldn't cope with his skill and pace, and he indirectly set up Keane for United's fourth via another brilliant individual effort. Larnell Cole continued to torment Sheffield United's left side with mazy runs. I'm a little guarded with my praise for Cole. At the point he entered the game, the Blades were furiously chasing the game and left alot of gaps at the back. A little unsure if his impact would have been that great if the game was level.

All in all, it was a great second half that we played, and the players mentioned today caught my attention. There were other players who probably have great potential as well, but I've not been able to comment on them, hence I'm only going by this game that I caught. Hopefully more than just a few can emmulate the Fergie Fledglings.

Oh, before I go off to bed, it's our 10th FA Youth Cup. I'm too lazy to check the stats, but apparently that's a record. Good year to be a United fan!