This probably feels like a rarity for Manchester United fans.
Three points. A strong performance. And a number of players shining.
On Wednesday night, for their final home game of the season, Manchester United beat Newcastle United 3-2 to boost their European hopes.
The under-fire Erik ten Hag now needs to better Newcastle’s result on the final day of the season and they will finish seventh in the Premier League table.
It’s not what was expected or what was targeted at the start of the campaign. But if it happens, then the team will head to the FA Cup final with some positivity.
You wouldn’t blame the Manchester United fans if they are a little optimistic about that game now because of how their young stars are performing.
Three of them scored against Newcastle – the rising midfield star Kobbie Mainoo, the dancing feet of Amad Diallo and the super-sub Rasmus Hojlund.
Steve Bruce certainly liked what he saw and stated that there was a ‘huge improvement’ from the rubbish that has been produced in recent weeks, as he told Premier League Productions (15/05/24 at 10:15 pm).
Two players he wanted to give flowers to were Mainoo and Amad by describing them as ‘really exciting’ and ‘an enormous talent’.
They caused Newcastle all sorts of issues, with captain Bruno Fernandes also returning, and are proving to be rare positives in what has been a bleak Premier League campaign for the club as a whole.
Kobbie Mainoo and Amad Diallo score for Manchester United
“It was a huge improvement from what we saw two weeks ago when they were so disappointing,” said Bruce. “They have shown a bit of resilience and got on with it.
“The youngsters, who have had a really breakthrough season, have done fantastically well. Scored a couple of goals between them. It is the biggest plus (the youngsters) without a question. The big plus is the introduction of Mainoo, who looks like a really exciting talent.
“We haven’t seen much of Amad. But we have seen another flash tonight. Of course, Garnacho is only a young player and let’s not forget Hojlund. He is only 21, so I would class him in that category too. All in all, for the young ones, it’s a progressive season.
“We are not privy to what has been going on behind the scenes (re Amad’s first start coming so late). In that sort of area, Man United have got a few areas. When you think of Rashford, this that and the other. He has had to be patient to play. I know he has a wonderful season up at Sunderland. Everybody was raving about him and that he has an enormous talent. We have seen glimpses of it tonight, which has been great to watch.”
Manchester United’s youngsters
Once upon a time, Sir Alex Ferguson built this club on young players coming through from the academy and going on to dominate English football.
You can criticise ten Hag about many things. But one thing he has done very well is progress the young players.
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Whether or not he keeps his job at the end of the season. Even he probably doesn’t know that yet.
Of course, winning the FA Cup at Manchester City’s expense will help. Equally, getting tanked in a final at Wembley will just make matters worse.
The post ‘Really exciting’: Steve Bruce amazed by Manchester United duo after win over Newcastle appeared first on HITC.
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