Manchester United: Five future stars

Five Manchester United youngsters that could break into the starting XI this season.A lot has been made this summer of how David Moyes will improve on his title-winning squad, with Manchester United being linked with numerous high-profile players, but the club already has a host of talent waiting to break through the ranks.

The Red Devils pre-season tour of Australia and Asia, if anything, has given the youngsters a chance to show the manager what they are capable of ahead of the new campaign. A few have put in some excellent performances, and provided Moyes with plenty to think about as he continues in his pursuit to strengthen the side.

Wilfried Zaha

In 2011/12 Zaha was awarded the Football League’s Young Player of the Year, he went one better last season, being named the PFA Championship Player of the Year. Due to his displays he was snapped up by United in January for £15m and immediately loaned back to Crystal Palace, where he went on to help the club gain promotion to the Premier League. It was believed that Palace wanted to keep the winger on-loan again this season, but after having impressed Moyes with his dazzling performances throughout United’s pre-season tour, he looks set to stay at Old Trafford. The 20-year-old certainly has the skill-set to be a big hit in England’s top flight. He has bags of pace, trickery, vision and great awareness. His desire to take on and beat a man is also an invaluable trait and he certainly looks to offer something different to United’s squad.

Adnan Januzaj

This young talent is the latest to emerge from a crop of Belgium stars. He was named on the substitutes bench in Sir Alex Ferguson’s last game in charge, against West Brom, and has featured extensively in United’s pre-season tour. At 18-years-old, Januzaj is a long way off reaching his full potential, but if the early signs are anything to go by, he is going to become a future superstar. He is small, nimble, has quick-feet and possesses great technique. He is perhaps what United have been searching for - a creative midfielder - and has been one of the star performers of their pre-season.

Jesse Lingard

Lingard is another attacking midfielder that has risen through the ranks at Old Trafford. The Warrington-born youngster has become one of the stand-out talents in England, at reserve and under-21 level. He has taken United’s Far East tour by storm, scoring four goals in four appearances, which include some tremendous individual efforts. The 20-year-old has proven to be capable of mixing the spectacular with the clinical, his direct running causes defenders problems and he certainly has the confidence and ability to break into Moyes’ squad this season.

 
Nick Powell

Powell was brought in last summer by Sir Alex after agreeing a £6m deal with Crewe. However, the 19-year-old’s debut season for the Reds was cut short following a series of injuries. He managed only six appearances in which he scored a single goal. The young Englishman has now recovered from an operation and could well feature for United in the coming season. He is an exceptional talent and can score goals with his bursts forward from midfield, which is usually accompanied by a fierce shot. Although, it is understood the player could be loaned out this year, with Wigan reportedly interested in acquiring his services as they bid to regain their Premier League status.

Michael Keane

Keane is another talent that is expected to be involved in the first team this season. The 20-year-old was on-loan at Leicester City last campaign, in which he made 22 appearances and even managed to score two goals. It is now believed the Englishman is ready to make the transition into United’s squad after having impressed during his time in the Championship. The defender has been used by Moyes in the club’s pre-season tour which further suggests that Keane’s future lies at Old Trafford. He is strong, quick and has a great reading on the game. But he will do well to break into a team that is already so strong in the centre-back department.