Manchester United is a club that prides itself on developing and promoting young players through the ranks.  Sir Matt Busby laid the foundations and brought through some of the greatest players who have ever played for this club. Sir Bobby Charlton and Duncan Edwards (whose true greatness we will never know) are only two examples that exemplify the nature of our great club. The importance of the youth set up was recognised by Sir Alex when he joined the club. He picked up the values of Sir Matt and carried them on and so "Fergies Fledglings" were soon born. Giggs, Scholes and Neville are still going strong at the club in the twilight of their careers while Becks and Butt contributed massively to the success of the 90s.

After this golden period where we were blessed with fantastic talent coming through the ranks, there was a long period of mediocrity. We were producing players like Michael Clegg, Ben Thornley, Phil Mulryne, John Curtis and Michael Twiss. No disrespect but they weren't in the same class as Giggs, Beckham, Scholes et al. Occasionally one would break the cycle. Wes Brown graduated before the turn of the century and then O'Shea and Fletcher came through in 2002/2003. Since then, talent has been thin on the ground from the youth set up.  It shows the weakness of the setup and the poor ability coming through at this time that a player couldn't make the breakthrough when we were enduring our worst period in years.  There was some talented individuals who have forged out decent careers elsewhere like Jonathan Spector, Sylvan Ebanks-Blake, David Healy, Danny Higginbotham and Kieran Richardson but it was always unlikely they would make the grade when they couldn't impose themselves in a weak United squad.

Personally, I was becoming concerned and disappointed at the lack of talent coming through. Like I said, it was part of the club that we groomed the best young players. Arsenal, West Ham and even City have been churning them out over recent years and we weren't. I wondered what the problem was, why weren't we developing players of the required quality to be a United player. We had done it with great success in the past so why not now when other clubs where? 

However, a new dawn is upon us. The tide has turned and the future looks bright for United and the players coming through the ranks. In this 3 part series of ‘The Future's Red', I am going to take a look at the players making their way up the ladder to the United first team and assessing their potential to be the new generation of "Fergie's Fledglings".  In part 1, I'll have a look at the players who are on the fringes and some of those who are out on loan.

Fringe players

Danny Welbeck - Andy Cole rates him and Sir Alex thinks he is good enough to go the World Cup. He might not be that good yet but he has showed glimpses of why he could be the next great United youth product. He burst on to the scene in Saudi Arabia where he won but failed to convert a penalty. You could see in this brief 30 minute cameo he had a bit about him. This was confirmed with his wonder goal against Stoke last November. He has went from strength to strength and been a regular in the Carling Cup where has scored some wonderful goals (most notably a Thierry Henry-esque finish against Derby). He has been utilised out wide this season so far but his goal against Wolves shows why he is going to be a top striker.

Federico Macheda - A star for the Academy, the Reserves and the first team last season; his meteoric rise took everyone by surprise. For those who seen him before THAT Villa game, knew he was destined for bigger things. A magical hat-trick against Newcastle in the Reserves prompted Fergie to throw him in to the first team picture. He delivered by grabbing us 6 points when we were destined for 2. Considering we won the league by 4 points, it's safe to say his impact was huge. However, pre-season he failed the shine and hasn't impressed in his outings so far. His attitude has been called in to question and he doesn't look as ready for the first team as he did last season. He can still be a star but his temperament and attitude needs to change first.

Rafael/Fabio Da Silva - It's like the same person split in to two with these lads. Rumours and hype about them were rife before they arrived on these shores but it didn't take them long to prove why there was a buzz about them. They are exciting to watch but as defenders they need to improve that side of their game if they want to have long careers at United. They need to bulk up a bit too, they are a little lightweight for the Premier League at the moment and this has resulted in far too many injuries for boys so young.  They have undoubted talent though and can easily go all the way. It won't come as a surprise to anyone if they are bombing down the wings in tandem at Old Trafford in 10 years time.

Darron Gibson - A big season for the Irish international. He has showed promise when he has played but sometimes lacks the confidence needed to command a place in central midfield for Manchester United. I predicted his career will follow the same path as Fletchers and I stand by that assessment... but only if he is patient enough to wait for his chance.  I think he will be and he can go on to become a key squad player for us in the future. Unfortunately I can't see him ever being anything more unless he can follow Fletch to the T. He can do a lot worse than being an integral member of the squad; he just has to look at O'Shea rather than Phil Neville and Nicky Butt.

Loanees

Tom Cleverley - For the 2^nd successive season he finds himself out on loan after impressing in pre-season. And once again he is impressing everyone with his performance in the lower leagues. 14 appearance and 6 goals have come from his time at Watford so far.  Sir Alex rates him highly and has said he has got what it takes to make it at United. He needs to be patient though. He didn't really want to go out on loan this term as he felt he could make an impact this season. When he returns he'll need to bide his time and not become impatient at his lack of action. He reminds you a little of Scholes with his all action displays and if he could be half the player Scholes is, he will have a future at Old Trafford.

Rodrigo Possebon - The Brazilian born Italian showed early signs of promise when he featured for the first team and the Reserves. A great passer of the ball and had the confidence to demand the ball from the back four. All that was wiped out by the Boro thug Pogatetz in the Carling Cup. One of ugliest challenges you'll see, Possebon was lucky not to be more seriously injured. He looked a different player when he returned and has failed to establish himself in the Braga team. Unless he can rediscover his early promise, his future will lie away from Manchester.

Craig Cathcart - The Northern Irish centre back was thrown in at the deep end in pre-season against Boca Juniors but performed admirably despite his late inclusion. He was sent to Watford on loan this season but has only featured 8 times. He has a slight frame but reads the game well. There are similarities with Jonny Evans and it is Evans whom he must look to replicate if he wants to make the grade with United. Has promise but needs to establish himself when on loan if he wants to impress the boss.

Danny Drinkwater - An attacking midfielder who has an eye for goal and currently on loan at Huddersfield. Similar to Cleverley but it could speak volumes that Danny is only on loan at Huddersfield. He is a player I like and impressed every time I seen him for the Reserves. However, he could be similar to Eagles/Martin in that respect where Man United Reserves is his level.

Febian Brandy/David Gray/Danny Simpson/Tom Heaton  -  All players who are in their 20s and whose United career will probably come to an end in the summer.  They showed promise but for varying reasons don't cut the mustard. These are the type of players we have been churning out for years when they should have been cut loose before now.

In the next instalment of ‘The Future's Red', I will take a look at established reserve players but in the meantime what's you opinion on these players? Who do you think has the potential to make it at United? Share your thoughts below....

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