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Daily Manchester United - Episode 112 - Won't Someone Please Think of the Children?!
15 Plays12 days ago
Kieran, Niall, and Tom have a look at the bench of the recent Tottenham defeat and wonder why 7 of the youth prospects never got a chance.
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Transcript
Introduction to Wildcard Wednesday
00:00:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hello everyone and welcome back to the Daily Manchester United here on the Global Sports Podcast Network. It's Wildcard Wednesday, which can only mean one thing. We try to talk about something that's not related to the men's senior team.
00:00:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
How lovely is that? At least the current one anyway. Joining me on today's Wildcard Wednesday is, well, two of our lovely co-hosts. Niall Hannigan joins me. How are you doing, Niall?
00:00:33
Niall
Not so bad, Kieran. Thank you.
00:00:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
And Tom Cairns. Tom, welcome along.
Youth Players' Limited Game Time
00:00:37
Tom Cairns
Hello, folks, and hopefully we'll get through lot of detail, maybe on the back of what we had a little bit on Sunday, but more of what could have happened on Sunday had those youngsters off the bench been given a chance.
00:00:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
Absolutely, yeah. It was a bit of a topic yesterday. Niall and I were slightly losing our minds and brains were melting at that point. But we did mention, and I went into a little bit of a rant, of why did we only give one player two minutes from that bench? Considering if this is an injury crisis or an illness crisis, whatever it's going to be called...
00:01:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
it's probably more than likely that we're going to be seeing some of these youth players come through the ranks. And more or likely, the option of why haven't we seen anyone come through yet? So we thought it would be an idea to first have a look at those players that did make the bench.
Chido Obi's Talent and Underuse
00:01:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
Viktor Lindelof, well, we can throw him in as well because he was technically on the bench. but more focus on the youth players that didn't make their appearances. And of course, Chido Obi, who did. So I suppose we should start with a player that actually did come off the bench, Chido Obi. I mean, looking at his stats in sort of under 18s and how he's been getting on in the youth ranks this season.
00:01:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean, looking at some of these years of birth, like date of birth, 29th November 2007,
00:01:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
um look This is going to be a tough episode, but definitely one of our brightest sparks. No, I don't know how much you've you've seen of him, but especially stats wise, it's looking good so far.
00:01:59
Niall
It is, and I believe he came from the Arsenal Academy, which kind of concerns me as well. It's like, why why would they let him go? you know Are they seeing something that that we don't see? But ah yeah, he was definitely the one that kind of jumped off the the team sheet when the the substitutions kind of came through in terms of who could actually get a bit of game time at the weekend. um I mean...
00:02:21
Niall
happy for him in one way that he made his debut but you'd like to be in a bit better circumstances like at least give him a bit more than three minutes of added on time and i made a comment yesterday Kieran I thought it was it was hilarious it was like an under 10 trying to get on the pitch like he was warming up in front of Amarin I'd say for about half an hour running up and down the sideline and everyone else had kind of given up at this stage but he was adamant he was going to get on so like you said flying for the in the Premier League too flying with the underage as well and Look, hopefully there's there's a bit of promise there as well and it can't get any worse than what we currently have.
Debating Youth Integration Strategies
00:02:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean, yeah, you know Danish youth striker as well, Tom. I don't know if you've seen Chido Obi, but it's definitely, it's one of those cases where we are lacking in attacking strength right now.
00:03:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
And it's more of a case of why hasn't he been trying yet at the Premier League level?
00:03:09
Tom Cairns
Perhaps there just haven't been the right games for him to get his chance. I mean, we've we've not had too many games where we are looking comfortable. on the pitch. You know, there's not been like three nils or four nils that we are cruising along and then giving these youngsters an opportunity.
00:03:24
Tom Cairns
It's been few and far between for Manchester United and that's why we haven't seen too many of these academy players being given the opportunity even for five or ten minutes That has to change at some point.
00:03:35
Tom Cairns
If it's not going to, when will it ever? In relation to Chidi Obi, I've not seen too much of him, but I've looked at his stats of how he did at Arsenal last season, which was very, very impressive at under-18s level.
00:03:47
Tom Cairns
And this season at Manchester United, since he's moved, I think it's nine goals and 11 appearances within Premier League too, which is quite impressive. So I can see why United are throwing him on the bench to begin with, but it's less understandable as to why he's been given the amount of minutes of which he did. United didn't have anything to lose, so I don't know why he wasn't given more of an opportunity to try and showcase what he could have done.
00:04:08
Tom Cairns
He could have come on for Rasmus Hoyland.
00:04:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I mean, easily could have. Or maybe even Xerxes as well. I mean, if we're talking about, you know, lack of attacking options, I mean, it was said before the game, we have probably three attackers right now who could probably play a striker role. You would probably put Garnaccio way down to the bottom of the list.
00:04:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
You'd probably put him number four in that list of three because he's more of a winger. Nevertheless, it seems odd that you would play all of your attacking options in the same match at the same time. You're asking for trouble for that one.
00:04:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
But a hat-trick in the FA Youth Cup as well. So he's definitely one of those promising strikers. But yeah, no, we might get ask a common theme here, an unlikely common theme about Arsenal
Aidan Hever's Potential Debut
00:04:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
players and Arsenal youth players coming to United, which leads me on to one of our more recent sightings in Aidan Hever.
00:04:47
Niall
Yeah. yeah
00:04:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
Now, I can't say I've watched a lot of Arsenal youth football. It's not really my style, um you know. For obvious reasons. But obviously, you know, United have seen something in Aidan Heaven. He's come to the club and he said he wants to continue his development, be the best player he can be. Tom, can he do that in United? I mean, you know, I don't think he was on. He wasn't on the bench this time. Oh, he was on the bench this time. And, you know, we like Amarim.
00:05:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
We know Amarim likes to sub sub on a substitute centre back at some point in the game.
00:05:20
Niall
Thank you.
00:05:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
and that didn't happen this time around.
00:05:22
Tom Cairns
No, it didn't really. But, you know, I think his chance will happen. It's just a matter of time. But he has had a bit of a first taste of football, first team football, ah because he featured for Arsenal in a Carabao Cup game against Preston.
00:05:35
Tom Cairns
Other than that, I don't think he's had any first team football. um So like I say, it's going to be a matter of time before he does eventually get his chance, whether it be off the bench or into the lineup.
00:05:45
Tom Cairns
He probably won't be in the lineup because we've got enough options at the moment for the centre half side of things because Maguire, De Ligt, Leni Oro and Matsurari, who's also been playing in that central half role.
00:05:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
Mm-hmm.
00:05:59
Tom Cairns
alongside those. So I think if there was an opportunity for Aidan Heaven to get some minutes on on the pitch, he's going to be off the bench. Maybe in the game against Everton, depending on the circumstances with the match.
00:06:10
Tom Cairns
But I'm confident he'll get his time at some point in the near future.
00:06:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'm sure he will. Niall, Aiden Heaven. I made the pun of, you know, we've signed Heaven, he's come to hell. But hopefully hopefully that improves for him later on down the line.
00:06:24
Niall
Yeah, I knew you were going to bring that up I was like, this is the only reason why Kieran's actually bringing him back up again is just to say another pun. So, I mean, look, God love him. Does that work?
00:06:36
Niall
Does that work?
00:06:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, that works. That works.
00:06:37
Niall
Yeah, yeah.
00:06:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
it's It's thematic. I like it.
00:06:41
Niall
Thank you. was kind working on that over the last five seconds. But yeah, look... Tom's right. It's probably the one area where we do have a good bit of cover. um Although because we are playing with three centre-halves, there might be an opportunity and in the future where we're going to need a bit of cover there.
00:06:56
Niall
um I was kind of weighing it up my head. as it Is it better for kind of a young centre-half to actually come into a back three where he maybe has a bit more protection around him than a back two? But also, would he have played back three football in the academy? Probably not. So and it's going to be interesting to see how he kind of adapts to that and whether he kind of is similar to Jaro in his development, where he seems to be playing on the the the outside of the of the middle centre half rather than the middle. So, yeah, I'm interested to see how he does get on. um i don't think he'll be featuring too much this year. But, ah yeah, as you mentioned, another...
00:07:31
Niall
Another snatch from the Arsenal Academy, which, um yeah, could could pay off or could be could be an interesting one in a few years' time.
00:07:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, roll of the dice, isn't it? See what
Goalkeeper Eli Harrison's Debut Chances
00:07:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
happens. We'll move on to the goalkeeper who was on the bench, Eli Harrison, who joined United in the summer of 2022, formerly of Stevenage. ah He was out on loan earlier this season.
00:07:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
He moved to Chester ah in the summer window, made his debut, senior debut against Peterborough Sports, keeping a clean sheet. He's since returned to United after 18 appearances for Chester.
00:08:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
was actually on the bench as an unnew substitute in the 2-0 defeat against Crystal Palace. Hopefully, Eli, we don't make this a habit whilst you're on the bench. I think it's unlikely now that we'll probably see Eli in goal this season. But you never know. Stranger things have happened.
00:08:17
Niall
Yeah, I wouldn't be against it either, to be honest. um But I think we don't have we're not blessed with them great options in that area. I think Bayern Deer has been good, but also hot and cold at times. And yeah, I mean, hopefully we don't have to call upon our third choice goalkeeper. But ah yeah, you never know.
00:08:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
I was going to say, third choice goalkeeper probably probably falls to Tom Heaton. But yeah, we'll see. ah Tom, obviously, when you're brought back on loan, obviously, National League, it's sort of a little bit different when you're going through that. It's probably one of those short term loans. I think you're allowed yeah something like 11 or 12 of them in a season. So it's probably one of those. But he's come back to the club.
00:08:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
Do you realistically see him making appearance this season?
00:09:00
Tom Cairns
I think it only depends on the situation with Inanna. I think if Inanna was to get a suspension or an injury, that's when i think um Harrison will be in play for ah start but i don't really see ah don't really see him getting into it anytime so i think anana's played too many games to the point where he is probably united's best option but it's not a very good one of that so i think it's going to take some more calamities from anana for harrison to be given a chance in goal which game will that be i don't i really don't know it really could be any in all honesty
00:09:36
Tom Cairns
But United know i said no that they have to put all the eggs in the basket on the EuroLeague League anyway. So if there's a chance for Inter to have a go at it's probably going to be in a Premier League game. But I wouldn't put him in net for Everton, but maybe for the next one after that against Ipswich.
00:09:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
Well, let's see what happens to the Denzel Haroon Reserve Team Player of the Year for 2023 and 2024 in Harrison. We'll have a look at some more players that were on the bench. But first, a message our sponsors.
00:10:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
If you've been a long-time listener of the daily Manchester United, you'll have heard this name before. Niall's already smiling. He knows who's coming next.
Harry Amas's Unused Potential
00:11:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
Harry Amas. Niall, take it away.
00:11:07
Niall
I just don't get it. I feel like I'm i'm missing something that that everyone else are in United seems to seems to be seeing, but it's such an area of weakness for us the whole season. um Obviously, we have the Luke Shaw injuries. but We deal with that every season.
00:11:23
Niall
We've had Malasia coming back miraculously when Amirim was appointed, but has been has been missing for years. um And then we're kind of shoehorning people into those positions, Masrawi, Dallo, and, you know, kind of compounding our issues because then we go to a back three or a back five, whatever way you look at it, and we don't really have a specialized wing back either. We're trying out lots of different players and shoving them around different positions.
00:11:48
Niall
And then you have a player in Harry Amas who seems to have unbelievable potential, um has played really well in the preseason matches, has been involved in the senior squad as well from the start of the year.
00:11:58
Niall
And imagine there's a left footed left back, you know, that has bound to come into into use at some stage. So um i would have loved for him to get a run out against Spurs at the weekend. But he should have been playing a lot, lot earlier than that and and been given an opportunity.
00:12:16
Niall
um You know, the players that have been getting in in front of him, it's not as if has been deserved more than than what he's been doing. um But I really hope that it does get to the stage where him and Darguer are kind of actually fighting it out for that position going forward. And we're not just kind of,
00:12:32
Niall
buying in players and and having to play them because we've bought them in you know sometimes you have to look internally as well to see what sort of talents um you have within the graduate academy and what are coming through and if they can actually come into first team football so you know it would be very like united to sell amass and then buy him back for 40 million in a few years time so maybe let's just give him ah a bit of a run out and see see what he can do
00:12:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's and a very expensive loan deal, isn't it? That's what we call them now. Yeah, it's bizarre, isn't it i mean, he was in the 2024 pre-season friendlies. You know, Ten Hag was starting him in those friendlies.
00:13:03
Niall
Yeah.
00:13:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
And obviously, the match against Real Batiste, we won 3-2. I mean, it doesn't make it... A lot of sense, Tom, that we have, as Nars said, a left-footed left-back who we've been crying out for this whole time, but we've signed one in this in this window.
00:13:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
seems a bit bizarre he hasn't had a start or even an appearance off the bench so far this season in a competitive game.
00:13:26
Tom Cairns
Well, this is the issue. Amirim, I don't think, recognised the qualities that he had because Ten Hag was the one in charge who gave him the opportunity during pre-season, um particularly against Betis that you've just mentioned.
00:13:38
Tom Cairns
So I would want to see Harry Amos being given more of an opportunity, but it feels like it's going to be more limited now, now that Dorgu is in that position. But why was Amos not given that left-back opportunity instead of Diogo Delo? Because Delo hadn't shot him.
00:13:55
Tom Cairns
in that role. So I don't understand why how Harry Amas wasn't given the opportunity to play in that left wing bet role. It just makes zero sense to me. And now I get the impression that in the summer, he's probably going to go out on loan, probably to a championship side.
00:14:09
Tom Cairns
We'll have to see.
00:14:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, it's not good when you've got a player who, it's almost like you've played them in pre-season, you've given them that steadying to sort of say, right, here's your path into the first team. And then that path doesn't happen. Even with the you know the injury crises that we've had over the past 12 months, it still hasn't happened for him. So who knows what he could do? He's been capped under 17 level by England.
00:14:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
He's been heavily involved in the under 18s, the under in the last campaign. He is actually listed on the United website as a senior player. So he is, you know in and around the senior squad, it would seem. But yeah, the the chance hasn't happened for him just yet.
00:14:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
But hey-ho, it is what it is. Someone who is born at Manchester United through and through, Tyler Fredrickson, 2005 he was born in. the defender is Well, grew up in the south of Manchester, has is started, ah did start, I should say, every under-18 FA Cup youth game in the run-up to the 2021-22 final against Nottingham Forest.
00:15:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
He did actually miss the final itself due to illness, but nevertheless was on the handy there. I mean, again, this is yeah i a winner at youth level. It really is. And again, we haven't really seen him break through just yet, Tom, have we?
00:15:22
Tom Cairns
Well, you mentioned Garnachio, who is also in that same side, who won the FA Youth Cup against Forest at Old Trafford. I'm a little bit surprised he hasn't even been thrown into the conversation about being on the bench earlier on in the last couple of years, in all honesty.
00:15:36
Tom Cairns
So it feels a bit overdue that his name's been thrown in there now. But I'm hoping at some point in the near future, he'll get his time on the pitch.
00:15:44
Niall
Thank
00:15:45
Tom Cairns
But don't know which games he's going to be able to get an opportunity at. He's a centre-half as well. And this goes back to what were saying about options in that centre-half position. I think the amount of opportunities are going to be few and far between for him this season, at least anyway.
00:16:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
And this is someone who you know who's come through the ranks at his boyhood club. that's That's it on the Manchester United website there, Niall. There's the passion. Bring that passion into the club, surely.
Tyler Fredrickson's First-Team Prospects
00:16:10
Niall
Absolutely. and And I think you made a good point about he's a winner because it doesn't really matter what age you are when you're coming into an environment like that. Your your confidence is so high and you're used to winning and being around a winning mentality.
00:16:23
Niall
That rubs off on players. And at the moment... It's such a, not a toxic atmosphere, but it's just such a fragile atmosphere, I'd say, at the club at the moment in terms of there's just no confidence at all in the way we're playing.
00:16:37
Niall
People are kind second guessing themselves. And I think kind of bringing in a bit of freshness and um a few youngsters that are used to winning wouldn't do any harm at all to the squad. Obviously, he's he's a centre-half, and like we've mentioned before, we seem to have plenty of cover in that all of a sudden.
00:16:53
Niall
um
00:16:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
Mm-hmm.
00:16:54
Niall
But yeah, it'll be interesting to see maybe, is he kind of a, Tom may know more than me, but in terms of ah a ball-playing centre-half, is this something that he could progress maybe into the midfield in one of those positions and if he's not as kind of physically demanding or imposing as the other centre-halves? But and I'm sure all these players that are coming through the the academy are all technically well able to move around in different positions also.
00:17:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, you would think so, wouldn't you? Especially with that new system coming in, you sort of apply that system to the rest of the squad going downwards in terms of youth level.
00:17:20
Niall
Yeah.
00:17:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean, he's already appeared in 2024-25 in the EFL Trophy, of course. The under-21s team gets to be part of the EFL Trophy, make of that what you will. But he was involved in that 3-2 win against Barnsley. So, you know, getting that experience of work as it well against professional teams is is sort of part and parcel now.
00:17:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
But he was also named the B-list of the United squad for the Europa League by Eric Ten Hag. He was on the bench against Real Sociedad in September, wasn't used. Again, it just feels like some of these players are right on the fringes of breaking through.
00:17:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
But for some reason, even with 12 fit senior players, they're still not making it into the side.
00:17:58
Niall
Thank you.
00:17:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
And it's a concern there.
Midfield Depth and Injuries
00:18:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
Also, another one on that list is ah Jack Morehouse, who is um man another Manchester-born player in the midfield. And has been referred to as a bit of an engine in a midfield as well. He's made two appearances for the under-18s last season, but still managed to get onto the goal sheet.
00:18:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
And yeah, another one, a midfielder who could, you know, We need an engine in that midfield now. That's something we're clearly lacking. Someone who can run up and down the pitch for 90 minutes. We need that Park Ji-sung back.
00:18:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
We really do.
00:18:32
Niall
We do, and he has the look of Scott McTominay about him, but we won't mention that. um But yeah, I think you're dead right. If you're having two players in midfield in a league and in football nowadays where the majority of teams have three players, you need absolute animals in those positions in terms of covering as much ground as three players would cover.
00:18:53
Niall
um along with obviously being technically technically sound and we don't have that at all like every game our midfield is is completely ran through um so yeah a profile like that is is exactly what we need
00:19:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, engine in that that midfield, Tom, that sounds quite nice. we could We could do with that right now.
00:19:12
Tom Cairns
we could. And I don't know whether he's a defensive midfielder or an attacking midfielder, or where he's a box-to-box midfielder. But I wouldn't mind seeing him, because we're lacking options now in that defensive midfield role with all the injuries so we've had. I mean, Manu's injured right now. Eriksen's not available.
00:19:27
Tom Cairns
And Yagarte recently i confirmed that he's unfit. So it may be worth giving him a go alongside Casemiro, because we know how experienced and successful Casemiro has been throughou throughout his career.
00:19:39
Tom Cairns
He can at least offer the The odd word or two to him um when Moorhouse gets his opportunity on the pitch. But, you know, hopefully he'll get his time.
00:19:49
Niall
An out-of-breath word from Casemiro as he's trying to run after the opposition, but a word nonetheless. so
00:19:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
Gnar's getting the strays out for Casemiro.
00:19:58
Niall
Yeah, I know.
00:19:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah he's He's in his He managed to sneak through into the ah Youth Academy edition of our episode.
00:19:59
Niall
He's won enough. It's fine.
00:20:04
Niall
Him and Lindelof.
00:20:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
What a player. What a player. Casemiro is. We'll get on to Lindelof. I promise you that. But more on our last three players on the bench after this.
00:20:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
Here at the Global Sports Podcast Network, we spent a lot of time selecting our delivery platform. Zencaster came out the clear winner. With 4K video recording from your phone and AI editing, it's super easy to start a podcast that sounds great and is delivered efficiently.
00:20:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
If you're ready to tell your story, check out the link in the show description to learn more about Zencaster.
00:20:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
Final three players on that bench in the Tottenham defeat. Sekou Kone is a Mali youth international who joined in August 2024.
Introducing Sekou Kone
00:21:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
The midfielder was a key part of his country's run to a third place finish at the under-17s World Cup in November 2023. Transfer from Guida's FC in his homeland in Mali.
00:21:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
And now he's beginning to sort of settle himself into Manchester United again. Born February 2006. Oof.
00:21:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
Again, i can't get over this. I can't get over. 2000 What are you talking about? But anyway, like another midfielder coming through. New to Manchester, new to a system. But again, not really the worst time to be coming into a new system right early in your career. It's not like you've had to change much in the youth system at that point, Tom. Must be a ah good time to come to this club with that sort of three three at the back or five at the back, whatever you to call it.
00:21:46
Tom Cairns
Well, yeah, because, you know, the club is in dire straits right now. And if there's a time for you to really make a name for yourself, well, this is it. So I'm hoping that we're going to be seeing more of him considering what he's done over in Mali.
00:22:01
Tom Cairns
But yeah, looking at his midfield role, again, another option and to go alongside. Probably not Bruno, but unless Bruno's being pushed to the right-hand side, because we know sometimes Bruno can play on the wing a little bit if United are struggling for options there, it might be an opportunity for Kone to be in that number 10 role to at least add a little bit more of an element, which is a little bit more of an option to that particular role.
00:22:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
Absolutely, Niall. You know, new to the club, probably one of our most recent signings of the summer, at the least, joining towards the end of the ah month of August. Again, another midfielder who could potentially be on the fringes of breaking through in this troubled time.
00:22:43
Niall
Yeah, definitely. And um I've seen a few clips of him as well, nothing major, but ah yeah, it definitely seems like a type of profile that we need in terms of being able to get around the pitch. um Good in terms of tackling as well and and does everything kind of simple with the ball and kind of lays it off. So it's it's exactly what you want.
00:23:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
Mm-hmm.
00:23:00
Niall
um I think as well, when when clubs kind of and this might be for, you know, the conversation when we talk about the other academy graduates, but when you kind of buy in 19-year-old or an 18-year-old for a million or odd, that's what he's brought in for you, kind of, and kind of, a what's the word? Like, a bit biased, but...
00:23:21
Niall
you're going to probably give them a bit more opportunities than what you would for for the academy graduates. You kind of want that to actually pay off when you bring someone in and put a bit of a price tag on them. So I can actually see him probably getting and opportunities over the next six months or so with this United team, maybe towards the back end of this season and and especially going into the preseason next year.
00:23:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
Amen.
00:23:40
Niall
and Seems to be kind of cut out for for that mold of the the two deep layman fielders that we have.
00:23:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
Another midfielder, though, much like his father. Yes, we get to say this, Tyler Fletcher, who will look over the fact that he started at Manchester City. We'll look past that now. He's at Manchester United now. He's at the right side of Manchester.
00:23:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah But he and his brother Jack here at Manchester United developing.
00:24:02
Niall
Thank you.
00:24:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
But yeah, a lot of midfielders on that
Tyler Fletcher's Legacy and Expectations
00:24:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
bench. You know, it's almost like we were ready for someone to fall over in that midfield. field the way we were stacked up there. ah But no, Tyler Fletcher, obviously son of royalty at Manchester United.
00:24:19
Niall
Absolutely, and and somebody definitely did fall over in that midfield for United at the weekend, but it still wasn't taking off. But yeah, son of royalty. I mean, i don't know how many times Darren Fletcher's been brought up in this podcast, but it's been a lot.
00:24:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
hope you...
00:24:31
Niall
like It's been a lot, and always on the wildcard Wednesday. So yeah, i we're delighted to bring up another Fletcher. um And yeah, I mean... There's not much to say, really. I mean, if he had the same mentality as his as his dad, that's exactly what we need at the moment in terms of actually, you know, putting a bit of ah bit of effort written around the pitch. And yeah, if you've come through the academies, it's ah it's a tough place to get through to get into the first team. So yeah, hopefully we can see a couple of appearances from him as well over the next while.
00:24:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
And we must not get ahead of ourselves because although, you know, he's the son of a United legend, Tom, you sort of have to set the expectations just the same as any other player.
00:25:07
Tom Cairns
I'd agree. I think we're getting mixed up with his brother, Jack, because i think it's Jack Fletcher who is the one on the bench for you know United, not Tyler.
00:25:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
Ah, that might be. Yes, you're right. Anyway, we can talk about Tyler and Jack. I'm getting confused between the two of them, so let's get confused here. But thank you, Tom.
00:25:23
Tom Cairns
Okay. um Yeah, an attacking midfielder, which could be what United need at this moment in time, because Circe... in that number 10 role, hasn't really set the world alight in that position. And neither has he been in the number nine.
00:25:38
Tom Cairns
So United really could do with something in that cam role. But we've got to remember, Mason Mount is out injured, as he has been since he joined United 18 months back. So his time is running out in getting involved in that first team at the moment is Jack.
00:25:54
Tom Cairns
And I just don't know whether it's just going to end up in a similar way to how Robbie Savage's son, Charlie, did before he went out on loan.
00:26:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
Thank you.
00:26:01
Tom Cairns
Or in fact, he's moved on for United now, hasn't he, Charlie Savage? Trying to remember the club he's playing for. But he's he's done well, actually, as Charlie Savage. But going on to Jack Fletcher, I think he's probably going to benefit more from going out on loan somewhere.
00:26:11
Tom Cairns
Perhaps maybe somewhere in League One or League Two just to get some experience in
00:26:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
That would be yeah good to to have that. Someone who's had plenty of experience. In fact, ah one of my most exciting youth prospects at the age of 30 years old, 268 appearances for Manchester United, Victor
Victor Lindelof's Future at the Club
00:26:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
Lindelof. The enigma that I have to say that he's still here.
00:26:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
i mean, he is still here. that's That's what I will have to say it about him. He has not had a look in in this current system. And so again, yeah i don't know whether it's injury concerns or if the fact that the quality is just not there.
00:26:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
But this was really one of the first times in a long time I've actually seen him as part of a team sheet here, Tom.
00:26:49
Tom Cairns
Well, I feel sorry for him in a way because the fact he's not involved in the system and his fact he's named on the bench amongst all the teenagers, it must feels like he must have felt like the oldest man on the ground, Lindelof.
00:27:01
Tom Cairns
But he's been around at the club since 2017. So he's been around for long enough to say, Lindelof. So I think he'll probably want be one of those to be moved on at the end of the season anyway because he's not getting any first-team football. He's probably not going to be in Amarim's system.
00:27:16
Tom Cairns
So he'll be one of those being offloaded, I'd have thought.
00:27:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean, I think back at Victor Lindelof, some of the partnerships he's had, Harry Maguire being one of them. but I'm pretty sure Chris Smalling was one of those partnerships. Correct me if I'm wrong. Would have been towards the end of Smalling's time at the club. But yeah, I mean, he's had quite a few partners and now at the age of 30, Niall, it's, um I don't know, will we have will we see Victor Lindelof take to the pitch at this time?
00:27:41
Niall
Well, I don't know. Interesting say partnerships. He was actually partner with Ruben Abram and Benfica. So that's how old he is. But I'm actually surprised. 30? I thought thought he was way older than that. But ah yeah, look, I mean, Lindelof's a decent player. It's just not what we need now at the moment. um Probably one of those kind of players that you'd want to to hang around the academy to maybe you go into the coaching badges seems to...
00:28:05
Niall
play the game the right way but in terms of get trying to get United to back to where we needed to be i think he's um he's been here for a while I just can't see him kind of getting back into that three the back that we have currently but um yeah it was good to see him on the bench nonetheless
00:28:15
Tom Cairns
Mm-hmm.
00:28:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, good to see him. I think, yeah, I think the years are catching up to him. I mean, at 30, it seems criminal to say that. It's criminal for Niles say he's there for the badges. like Goodness me, no.
00:28:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
He's got at least a couple of years of him as a centre-back.
00:28:32
Niall
Well, we we know we know what happens when people are there for the badges.
00:28:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:28:36
Niall
Johnny Evans ends up being playing a starring role for United. So you never know. Lindelof in that kind of position could be could be a bit of an option for us.
00:28:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
Give it six years, Victor. Your time will come again. For us, though, our time has come to an end on today's Wildcard Wednesday.
Conclusion and Next Game Preview
00:28:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah Thank you for joining us. I'd just like to give a thank you over to Tom O'Narr for joining to me on today's episode and having a look at those Youth Academy prospects that were on the bench and only one of them made it.
00:29:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
And, well, we'll see where we go from here. Next game is against Everton, and hopefully on tomorrow's episode, we'll have a bit of a crossover. Yes, we have the Lions' Den in the most informed team in England. Well, joint.
00:29:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
most informed but that doesn't sound as good 13 points from the last five games Everton we have to face hopefully it should be a good one there we'll see what we get from the Lions dead ah in the meantime though thank you very much for watching and listening don't forget you can follow us on all the social medias it's GSPN Man United we're on Twitter or X we're on Facebook we're on Instagram and we're on TikTok we can see all of our clips and all of our best bits from all the episodes We'll also, if you want to watch the full episodes on YouTube, it's Global Sports Podcast Network, LTD. Find the Manchester United playlist and watch to your heart's content. You can see all of our lovely faces and see the reactions we had that you can't really see when you listen.
00:29:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
But anyway, whatever takes your fancy. In the meantime, enjoy the rest of your Wednesday. Try not to think too much about the Everton game and we'll talk to you soon.