We'll See Just How Good United's Academy Is Thursday

Photocredit: metro.co.uk

Thursday Manchester United travel to Kazakhstan to take on Astana. But it will be a game worth watching for United fans because you will get to see the academy in action. With the exception of only a few, the entire squad making the journey is essentially the U-23 team. It will be an even more inexperienced team than the ones Sir Alex brought out for the League Cup back in the day. Even Brandon Williams will not take part as he will be staying home to train for the Aston Villa match.

The main attraction for United fans will have to be Mason Greenwood, who will be playing in the number 9 role and who has already scored against Astana in the reverse fixture. But others to really keep an eye on have to be Angel Gomes and Tahith Chong. The jury is out on how good these two really are. The papers create rumors like Chong won't sign a new contract and may leave to go to Juventus. Gomes may leave to go to Barcelona. But it's worth noting that Gomes can't even break England's U-21 side and he's 20. Greenwood recently turned 18 and is playing for England's U-21s. It's not rocket science to see that this is likely mischief on the part of papers leading you to believe each and every one of these guys are starlets. Chong is getting older and only makes the bench for Netherland's U21 sides. The word starlet comes up so much with these guys it makes you almost want to never see the word again.

United's U23 outfit is 2nd and Division 2 of the development premier league. Consider that Chelsea is top of Division 1 and you get a glimpse of how far apart these academies really are. Questions should be asked about how United fell so far behind Chelsea in this regard. Remember that Chelsea didn't take their League cup encounter seriously while United sent out the first team and needed a wonder goal from Rashford (Who shouldn't even be playing league cup matches) to win the game. Chelsea sends out many of its best on loan but yet it's U23 side is still top of division 1. United are on the path back to division 1 but it's still telling that they are in division 2. Granted, they are pretty dominant having only allowed 9 in 11 games and have scored 31. But this all being said, it's still the second division.

We all know a decent amount about Mason Greenwood having seen him play plenty. We know a bit about Chong as well as he has made the occasional appearance for the first team. Same goes for Gomes. Those 3 are expected to lead the front line. Chong has 4 goals in 3 games in the U23 side. He's stuck in a position where he really isn't quite ready for the first team but is clearly too good for U23 action. His performance here is what will tell you whether he really deserves that new contract he wants or if it wouldn't be a big deal were he to leave. Overhyped so far as he has made hardly any impact while on first team duty. This is a huge game for him. Same for Gomes, who has 2 goals in 2 for the youth team. Both likely should be out on loan rather than with the U23s as they need higher quality competition but aren't ready for the first team by any stretch.

Midfield is expected to include James Garner, a player who is breaking into the first team and has made the bench recently. He has 5 in 5 at the youth level but don't expect him to be the next Steven Gerrard. He's likely not to be a major goal scorer. Also included will be Dylan Levitt, who regularly makes the Wales senior squad even if he hasn't broken into the starting XI quite yet. He would be making his United debut. He's supposed to have some fanfare himself. Lingard is expected to get some action considering he is clearly not good enough at this time to be playing in the premier league. He's awfully close to going a year without a goal. All of these guys likely should be out on loan and not with United at this time either. Yes, that includes you Lingard.

In the back we'll get to see Lee Grant for once in goal and Luke Shaw is back from injury and he will be needing to have a good game if he wants to be a first team regular again. Ethan Laird is expected to play right back and make a first team debut. The last expected debutant (At least from the start) would be center back Dishon Bernard, who has been impressing at U23 level and the 9 goals against in 11 games is some proof that he is at least up to it at that level. Axel Tuanzebe will lead the back line as he tries to get back to fitness following his recent injury. With Phil Jones' performance against Sheffield over the weekend, United will be desperate for him to get back into fitness real fast. Frankly, Jones likely should have been making the trip to Kazakhstan instead of Tuanzebe.

There are quite a few potential debutants who would be on the bench as well. So it may make a very interesting game for United fans. It also could make a very comical game for neutrals and people who dislike United as their academy could embarrass themselves badly here. If they do, just another signal that the stench goes far beyond Solskjaer at Old Trafford.

Thanks for reading.